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Israelis have assembled around the country to remember two years since the Hamas-initiated offensive on October 7th, 2023, as discussions proceeded in the neighboring country over a resolution to the war in Gaza.

The attack resulted in over 1,200 people dead and 251 others abducted back to Gaza as captives. It was the uniquely most lethal day for Jews since the Second World War.

Israel reacted by beginning a military offensive in Gaza which has killed over 67,000 people, as reported by the territory's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its numbers are seen as trustworthy by the UN and other international bodies.

"The violent opponents have struck forcefully, but they have not defeated us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on Tuesday.

He also promised to "achieve all the aims of the war: the return of all the kidnapped, the elimination of the Hamas regime and the guarantee that Gaza will no longer create a danger to Israel".

Remembrance Events Across Israel

The national leadership delayed official memorials until October 16th - after the end of the religious holiday season - but gatherings still were held around the country on Tuesday.

A memorial ceremony for the loved ones of Israeli citizens killed in the Hamas assault was organized in Tel Aviv. Arranged by the families themselves, it was televised throughout Israeli television channels.

Some time earlier, a silent tribute was respected around the country.

Negotiation Discussions in Egypt

Simultaneously, the conflicting parties' delegations gathered in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of the negotiation venue for a continuing round of mediated discussions to discuss the provisions of the agreement.

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

The representative said the morning session concluded without concrete outcomes, amid disagreements over the recommended Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over assurances Hamas demands to guarantee Israel does not recommence combat after the opening period of the deal.

He commented that the discussions are "difficult and have yet to deliver any significant progress," but mentioned that mediators are making efforts to close the disparities between the conflicting groups.

Critical Issues in Discussions

• A permanent truce
• The exchange of the captives still held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The pullout of troops from Gaza
• Plans for assistance deliveries
• Post-war governance of the territory

Citizen Feeling

In Tel Aviv's Hostages Square previously, young Hagar - whose sibling endured the incident on the gathering, where many attendees were murdered and numerous more were taken hostage by Hamas militants - told: "No place seems like home any longer and until each abducted person come back no one will feel safe."

"After we see everyone home once more, we can feel relief once more. Then we can begin to rebuild," she concluded.

In front of the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, people congregated to express their solidarity for the families of the abducted. Israel says nearly fifty remain in captivity in Gaza, 20 of whom are thought to be surviving.

Protester Atalia Regev stated: "We need do any agreement required for the captives to return. But we sincerely need promises that we will be secure."

Opinion polls now regularly indicate that about the majority of Israeli citizens prefer the war to conclude in return for the liberation of the captives.

Palestinian Situation

At the location of the music event, mourners assembled to remember the victims.

From the site, the sound of Israeli air strikes and shelling could be noticed just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where witnesses indicated the severe Israeli attacks carried on.

In Gaza City, attacks were reported in the early hours of that day in the west side district, sector and zone areas and in the east side district of that sector, as well the camp to the northwest.

"Once the dusk comes, the dread arrives with it," displaced urban resident a local woman, whose 17-year-old son was died by an Israeli air strike previously, explained.

"We are fearful of the air strikes. During nighttime we are lying together, holding each other, notably my youngest child who puts his head on me all night."

"Continuously we look at the reports to see developments. And I'm concerned that this halt will not be completed and that the fighting will resume to us."

Medical Situation

Al-Shifa hospital in the urban area announced it had received the bodies of half dozen people by the afternoon, including several killed in an Israeli strike in the southern area.

Another medical facility in the southern city of Khan Younis said additional dead people had been brought there. A person was lost his life by Israeli troops while attempting to get help to the southern area, health workers said.

The region's health ministry said a significant number of the {territ