🔗 Share this article Israelis mark second anniversary of October 7th attacks as Palestinian peace negotiations advance Some paid their respects at the grounds of the Nova Music Festival, where in excess of 370 people lost their lives and many more abducted to Gaza as hostages Israelis have come together across the country to mark 24 months since the Hamas-initiated offensive on 7 October 2023, as negotiations advanced in Egypt over a resolution to the war in the Gaza Strip. The attack led to over 1,200 people killed and 251 others captured back to Gaza as hostages. It was the uniquely most fatal day for the Jewish community since the Second World War. Israel responded by launching a military offensive in Gaza which has claimed over 67,000 people, based on figures from the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its numbers are considered accurate by the UN and other international bodies. "The violent opponents have hit us hard, but they have not defeated us," the prime minister added on that day. He also pledged to "accomplish all the goals of the war: the homecoming of all the captured, the elimination of the Hamas administration and the assurance that Gaza will no longer create a threat to Israel". Commemorative Events Across Israel The government authorities rescheduled official commemorations until mid-October - after the end of the religious holiday season - but ceremonies still took place across the country on Tuesday. A memorial ceremony for the relatives of Israelis killed in the Hamas incident was held in Tel Aviv. Arranged by the families themselves, it was broadcast throughout Israeli broadcast stations. Some time earlier, a moment of silence was observed across the country. Ceasefire Discussions in Egypt At the same time, the conflicting parties' negotiating teams convened in the Egyptian coastal city of the Egyptian city for a continuing round of indirect talks to discuss the terms of the proposal. A prominent representative involved in the discussions said that an evening round of indirect talks started at 19:00 Cairo time. The source stated the morning session concluded without tangible results, because of conflicting views over the suggested Israeli withdrawal maps from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas demands to guarantee Israel does not recommence fighting after the initial stage of the agreement. He added that the talks are "challenging and have not yet produce any major advancement," but mentioned that intermediaries are striving to reduce the disparities between the two sides. Essential Issues in Discussions An enduring halt to fighting The trade of the captives still detained by Hamas for inmates from Gaza The withdrawal of military personnel from Gaza Measures for assistance deliveries Post-war management of the region Public Sentiment In Tel Aviv's memorial area previously, 29-year-old a woman - whose brother survived the assault on the Nova music festival, where 378 people were killed and numerous more were captured by Hamas gunmen - shared: "Nowhere seems like home anymore and until every captive return not a single person will be secure." "After we see everyone home once more, we can feel relief again. Then we can start to heal," she continued. Near the leader's official dwelling in the capital, people gathered to demonstrate their backing for the relatives of the captives. Israel says 48 continue in detention in Gaza, twenty of whom are believed to be surviving. Activist Atalia Regev explained: "We must do whatever arrangement required for the hostages to return. But we truly desire assurances that we will be secure." Surveys now regularly indicate that approximately seventy percent of the population desire the hostilities to end in return for the freedom of the hostages. Palestinian Circumstances At the site of Nova festival, grieving people came together to remember the victims. From there, the boom of aerial bombardments and explosions could be heard just a brief space away in Gaza, where witnesses indicated the intense Israeli bombardment continued. In Gaza City, air and artillery strikes were documented in the morning of Tuesday in the west side district, sector and Nasr neighbourhoods and in the eastern neighbourhood of Sheikh Radwan, as well the settlement to the northwestern area. "When the evening comes, the anxiety appears with it," relocated Gaza City resident a local woman, whose teenage son was lost his life by an Israeli air strike last year, shared. "We are afraid of the bombings. Throughout the evening we are sleeping together, holding each other, particularly my smallest child who puts his head on me the entire evening." "Constantly we monitor the updates to see developments. And I'm worried that this ceasefire will not be achieved and that the fighting will resume to us." Health Crisis The healthcare center in Gaza City reported it had received the remains of half dozen people by the daytime, including three who lost their lives in an Israeli strike in the southern area. A different healthcare center in the south region of that area said two more victims had been brought there. An individual was lost his life by Israeli troops while attempting to get aid to the south region, health workers stated. The region's health ministry said 25 of the {territ