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People have gathered across the country to mark the second anniversary since the Hamas-led assault on October 7th, 2023, as negotiations continued in Egypt over a conclusion to the war in Gaza.

The assault led to in excess of 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others captured back to Gaza as prisoners. It was the uniquely deadliest day for Jewish people since the Second World War.

Israel responded by beginning a defensive operation in Gaza which has claimed more than 67,000 people, according to the region's Hamas-run health ministry. Its statistics are seen as reliable by the UN and other global organizations.

"The violent opponents have hit us hard, but they have not broken us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on that day.

He also vowed to "achieve all the aims of the war: the release of all the captured, the destruction of the Hamas government and the assurance that Gaza will not pose a danger to Israel".

Remembrance Gatherings Across Israel

The government authorities postponed state commemorations until 16 October - after the completion of the Jewish High Holiday season - but ceremonies still occurred throughout the country on that day.

A remembrance service for the loved ones of Israelis who lost their lives in the Hamas incident was held in the coastal city. Organized by the affected families, it was televised across Israeli television channels.

A period earlier, a silent tribute was respected throughout the country.

Ceasefire Talks in Egypt

Simultaneously, both sides' negotiating teams met in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of the negotiation venue for a follow-up session of indirect talks to discuss the conditions of the agreement.

A high-ranking representative involved in the negotiations revealed that an evening round of negotiations began at 19:00 Cairo time.

The source said the morning session concluded without significant progress, due to conflicting views over the recommended Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas seeks to ensure Israel does not resume hostilities after the opening period of the agreement.

He commented that the negotiations are "tough and have not yet achieve any significant progress," but noted that mediators are making efforts to close the disparities between the conflicting groups.

Essential Issues in Talks

• An enduring halt to fighting
• The trade of the captives still kept by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The pullout of troops from Gaza
• Plans for assistance distribution
• Post-war governance of the area

Civilian Sentiment

In the city's public square that day, young Hagar - whose brother endured the assault on the outdoor event, where hundreds were lost their lives and dozens more were captured by Hamas fighters - shared: "Nowhere feels like home any longer and until each abducted person are released no one will be secure."

"When we see all home once more, we can feel relief anew. Then we can start to heal," she added.

Near the prime minister's residence in the capital, people assembled to demonstrate their solidarity for the relatives of the abducted. Israel says forty-eight continue in detention in Gaza, twenty of whom are considered to be living.

Activist one woman explained: "We must do every compromise needed for the abducted to return. But we sincerely need promises that we will be secure."

Research now consistently show that around 70% of the population prefer the war to conclude in exchange for the liberation of the abducted.

Palestinian Circumstances

At the location of the gathering, grieving people gathered to honor the dead.

From that location, the sound of Israeli air strikes and explosions could be heard just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where observers indicated the severe Israeli attacks persisted.

In the urban center, air and artillery strikes were reported in the early hours of Tuesday in the western neighborhood, Rimal and locality areas and in the eastern district of Sheikh Radwan, as well Shati refugee camp to the north-west.

"As the evening comes, the dread arrives with it," relocated urban resident Emaan al-Wahidi, whose 17-year-old son was killed by an Israeli air strike earlier, explained.

"Me and my three children are terrified of the bombings. Throughout the evening we are sleeping together, holding each other, especially my smallest child who places his head on me throughout the night."

"Constantly we check the updates to see developments. And I'm afraid that this halt will not be achieved and that the war will come back to us."

Humanitarian Situation

Al-Shifa hospital in the urban area said it had received the corpses of several people by the afternoon, including three killed in an Israeli attack in the south part district.

A different healthcare center in the southern urban center of the city said additional fatalities had been delivered. One of them was died by Israeli soldiers while seeking aid to the south, medical staff said.

Gaza's health ministry reported a significant number of the {territ