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People have come together throughout the country to remember two years since the Hamas-led assault on October 7th, 2023, as negotiations continued in the neighboring country over a resolution to the hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

The attack resulted in over 1,200 people dead and 251 others abducted away to Gaza as captives. It was the single deadliest day for the Jewish community since the Second World War.

Israel answered by launching a defensive operation in Gaza which has claimed over 67,000 people, based on figures from the region's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its numbers are regarded as trustworthy by the United Nations and other international bodies.

"Our violent opponents have struck forcefully, but they have not broken us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on that day.

He also pledged to "accomplish all the goals of the war: the return of all the abducted, the elimination of the Hamas government and the guarantee that Gaza will not present a danger to Israel".

Memorial Events Across Israel

The Israeli government postponed official commemorations until mid-October - after the end of the festive season - but events still were held throughout the country on that day.

A commemorative event for the families of Israelis killed in the Hamas incident was organized in the coastal city. Put together by the families themselves, it was aired on Israeli TV networks.

A period earlier, a minute's silence was observed throughout the country.

Peace Discussions in Egypt

At the same time, Israeli and Hamas representatives gathered in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a second day of mediated discussions to discuss the terms of the agreement.

A high-ranking representative involved in the negotiations said that an late session of mediated discussions started at evening in Egypt.

The official stated the morning session finished without concrete outcomes, because of differences over the recommended Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas wants to guarantee Israel does not recommence combat after the first phase of the deal.

He added that the discussions are "challenging and have not yet achieve any major advancement," but pointed out that intermediaries are working hard to close the disparities between the both parties.

Key Points in Negotiations

• A lasting halt to fighting
• The trade of the captives still kept by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
• Measures for humanitarian aid distribution
• After-conflict governance of the region

Public Feeling

In the city's Hostages Square that day, 29-year-old a woman - whose family member lived through the assault on the Nova music festival, where many attendees were murdered and numerous more were abducted by Hamas fighters - told: "No location feels like home now and until all the hostages are released no one will be secure."

"Once we see everybody home once more, we can breathe again. Then we can start to heal," she added.

In front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in the capital, people congregated to demonstrate their solidarity for the families of the captives. Israel reports forty-eight remain in confinement in Gaza, 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

Protester a participant explained: "It's necessary do every compromise necessary for the hostages to come back home. But we truly desire promises that we will be safe."

Opinion polls now consistently show that about seventy percent of Israelis desire the conflict to conclude in exchange for the freedom of the captives.

Palestinian Situation

At the area of the music event, those paying respects assembled to pay their respects.

From there, the boom of aerial bombardments and shelling could be heard just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where observers indicated the intense Israeli bombardment carried on.

In the main city, bombardments were noted in the morning of that day in the west side Tal al-Hawa, sector and zone neighbourhoods and in the east side neighbourhood of Sheikh Radwan, as well Shati refugee camp to the northwest.

"When the dusk arrives, the anxiety arrives with it," evacuated Gaza City resident a mother, whose 17-year-old son was lost his life by an Israeli aerial attack last year, described.

"My family are afraid of the bombings. Throughout the evening we are lying together, holding each other, especially my youngest child who rests his face on me throughout the night."

"Continuously we monitor the news to see the situation. And I'm concerned that this truce will not be achieved and that the war will return to us."

Humanitarian Situation

The healthcare center in Gaza City said it had taken in the bodies of half dozen people by the afternoon, including several who died in an Israeli strike in the south part area.

Nasser hospital in the south region of the city said two more dead people had been transported. A person was died by Israeli forces while looking for help to the south, health workers stated.

The territory's health ministry said twenty-five of the {territ