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People have gathered throughout the country to mark the second anniversary since the Hamas-led offensive on that fateful day in October 2023, as discussions continued in Egypt over a conclusion to the war in Gaza.

The assault saw more than 1,200 people dead and 251 others captured away to Gaza as captives. It was the uniquely most lethal day for the Jewish community since the Holocaust.

Israel responded by launching a military offensive in Gaza which has killed in excess of 67,000 people, based on figures from the region's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its figures are considered trustworthy by the UN and other international bodies.

"The bloodthirsty enemies have struck forcefully, but they have not defeated us," the prime minister remarked on that day.

He also promised to "accomplish all the goals of the war: the release of all the captured, the elimination of the Hamas regime and the promise that Gaza will no longer create a threat to Israel".

Commemorative Events Across Israel

The national leadership delayed state memorials until 16 October - after the conclusion of the festive season - but gatherings still were held across the country on that day.

A remembrance service for the families of Israeli citizens who died in the Hamas attack was conducted in Tel Aviv. Put together by the victims' relatives, it was televised across Israeli TV networks.

Some time earlier, a moment of silence was respected around the country.

Peace Talks in Egypt

At the same time, both sides' representatives met in the Egyptian tourist destination of Sharm el-Sheikh for a continuing round of indirect talks to examine the terms of the proposal.

A prominent delegate familiar with the discussions said that an night meeting of indirect talks began at 19:00 Cairo time.

The source explained the earlier meeting finished without significant progress, amid disagreements over the suggested Israeli withdrawal maps from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas seeks to ensure Israel does not restart fighting after the first phase of the arrangement.

He commented that the talks are "challenging and have not yet produce any major advancement," but noted that facilitators are working hard to close the differences between the both parties.

Essential Points in Negotiations

• A lasting truce
• The exchange of the prisoners still kept by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
• Measures for humanitarian aid provision
• Post-war governance of the region

Citizen Feeling

In the city's Hostages Square earlier, young a woman - whose brother survived the assault on the Nova music festival, where 378 people were lost their lives and dozens more were captured by Hamas militants - shared: "Nowhere appears as home any longer and until all the hostages are released no one will have peace of mind."

"When we see everyone home once more, we can feel relief again. Then we can commence rebuild," she concluded.

Near the prime minister's home in Jerusalem, people gathered to demonstrate their backing for the families of the captives. Israel says forty-eight remain in captivity in Gaza, twenty of whom are considered to be alive.

Protester one woman explained: "We need do whatever arrangement necessary for the hostages to come back home. But we truly desire promises that we will be protected."

Surveys now frequently demonstrate that around seventy percent of Israelis want the hostilities to conclude in as payment for the freedom of the abducted.

Gaza Conditions

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

From the site, the noise of military attacks and shelling could be detected just a brief space away in Gaza, where local people indicated the intense Israeli bombardment continued.

In the main city, air and artillery strikes were documented in the dawn of that day in the western neighborhood, Rimal and zone districts and in the eastern neighbourhood of Sheikh Radwan, as well the camp to the north-west.

"Once the dusk comes, the anxiety comes with it," displaced Gaza City resident Emaan al-Wahidi, whose 17-year-old son was died by an Israeli air strike previously, explained.

"Me and my three children are fearful of the bombings. All the night we are resting together, embracing, particularly my youngest child who rests his head on me the entire evening."

"Every second we look at the reports to see the situation. And I'm worried that this truce will not be completed and that the war will resume to us."

Health Emergency

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

Another medical facility in the south region of Khan Younis reported additional dead people had been delivered. An individual was killed by Israeli soldiers while looking for aid to the south, medical staff said.

Gaza's health ministry said 25 of the {territ