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Citizens have gathered across the country to mark the second anniversary since the Hamas-conducted attack on 7 October 2023, as talks continued in Egypt over a resolution to the hostilities in Gaza.

The attack saw in excess of 1,200 people dead and 251 others captured back to Gaza as prisoners. It was the single most lethal day for Jewish people since the Second World War.

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

"Our violent opponents have hit us hard, but they have not broken us," the prime minister remarked on that day.

He also vowed to "accomplish all the aims of the war: the return of all the kidnapped, the destruction of the Hamas administration and the promise that Gaza will not present a risk to Israel".

Memorial Gatherings Across Israel

The government authorities delayed state remembrance events until October 16th - after the completion of the festive season - but gatherings still occurred around the country on that day.

A commemorative event for the families of Israeli citizens who died in the Hamas attack was organized in the coastal city. Organized by the affected families, it was televised across Israeli television channels.

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

Negotiation Meetings in Egypt

Simultaneously, the conflicting parties' negotiating teams gathered in the North African tourist destination of the negotiation venue for a follow-up session of indirect talks to review the provisions of the proposal.

A senior representative knowledgeable about the talks revealed that an late session of mediated discussions started at 19:00 Cairo time.

The representative explained the morning session finished without significant progress, due to conflicting views over the recommended Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas demands to make certain Israel does not recommence hostilities after the opening period of the deal.

He noted that the talks are "challenging and have yet to deliver any major advancement," but pointed out that intermediaries are working hard to close the gaps between the both parties.

Key Issues in Discussions

• A permanent halt to fighting
• The exchange of the prisoners still detained by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The removal of military personnel from Gaza
• Arrangements for assistance provision
• Post-war administration of the area

Public Feeling

In Tel Aviv's memorial area earlier, 29-year-old Hagar - whose brother endured the assault on the Nova music festival, where 378 people were lost their lives and numerous more were abducted by Hamas gunmen - told: "No location seems like home anymore and until all the hostages return not a single person will be secure."

"Once we see all home returned, we can feel relief again. Then we can begin to recover," she added.

In front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official dwelling in Jerusalem, people assembled to demonstrate their backing for the loved ones of the captives. Israel says forty-eight continue in detention in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Activist a participant remarked: "We must do whatever arrangement necessary for the captives to be released. But we really want assurances that we will be safe."

Surveys now consistently show that around 70% of Israeli citizens desire the hostilities to conclude in as payment for the release of the hostages.

Gaza Conditions

At the location of Nova festival, those paying respects assembled to honor the dead.

From that location, the noise of aerial bombardments and shelling could be noticed just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where witnesses indicated the severe Israeli bombardment persisted.

In the main city, air and artillery strikes were noted in the morning of Tuesday in the western Tal al-Hawa, Rimal and zone areas and in the eastern neighbourhood of Sheikh Radwan, as well the camp to the north-west.

"Once the dusk comes, the fear arrives with it," displaced urban resident Emaan al-Wahidi, whose young son was lost his life by an Israeli air strike previously, explained.

"We are fearful of the attacks. During nighttime we are sleeping together, clinging, notably my youngest child who puts his face on me the entire evening."

"Continuously we look at the updates to see the situation. And I'm worried that this ceasefire will not be achieved and that the conflict will resume to us."

Medical Situation

Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City said it had accepted the bodies of several people by the midday, including a trio killed in an Israeli bombing in the south part area.

Another medical facility in the southern city of the city indicated additional dead people had been delivered. One of them was lost his life by Israeli forces while seeking assistance to the south, medics reported.

The region's health ministry reported twenty-five of the {territ