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Israelis have come together around the country to commemorate two years since the Hamas-initiated offensive on October 7th, 2023, as negotiations continued in the neighboring country over an end to the hostilities in Gaza.

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

Israel reacted by launching a armed campaign in Gaza which has killed over 67,000 people, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Its figures are seen as reliable by the UN and other world agencies.

"The violent adversaries have hit us hard, but they have not broken us," the prime minister added on that day.

He also pledged to "realize all the objectives of the war: the release of all the captured, the destruction of the Hamas regime and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a risk to Israel".

Memorial Events Across Israel

The national leadership delayed formal memorials until mid-October - after the conclusion of the festive season - but ceremonies still took place around the country on Tuesday.

A commemorative event for the families of Israeli citizens who died in the Hamas attack was organized in the coastal city. Arranged by the victims' relatives, it was broadcast throughout Israeli television channels.

Hours earlier, a minute's silence was respected across the country.

Negotiation Meetings in Egypt

Simultaneously, the conflicting parties' negotiating teams convened in the North African Red Sea resort of the Egyptian city for a follow-up session of indirect talks to examine the provisions of the plan.

A high-ranking Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations indicated that an night meeting of mediated discussions began at evening in Egypt.

The source stated the day's discussions finished without significant progress, amid conflicting views over the suggested Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas wants to ensure Israel does not recommence combat after the first phase of the agreement.

He added that the discussions are "challenging and have still not produce any major advancement," but noted that mediators are working hard to reduce the disparities between the two sides.

Essential Matters in Talks

• A lasting ceasefire
• The trade of the hostages still detained by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The pullout of troops from Gaza
• Arrangements for humanitarian aid deliveries
• After-conflict management of the area

Civilian Feeling

In the city's memorial area previously, 29-year-old Hagar - whose family member lived through the incident on the Nova music festival, where many attendees were lost their lives and many more were abducted by Hamas militants - told: "No place seems like home any longer and until each abducted person come back no one will feel safe."

"When we see everybody home again, we can feel relief anew. Then we can commence rebuild," she continued.

Outside the prime minister's residence in the capital, people gathered to demonstrate their support for the loved ones of the abducted. Israel reports forty-eight continue in detention in Gaza, 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

Activist one woman stated: "We must do any agreement needed for the abducted to come back home. But we really want promises that we will be secure."

Research now consistently show that approximately seventy percent of the population prefer the conflict to conclude in exchange for the freedom of the captives.

Gaza Situation

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

From there, the sound of military attacks and explosions could be detected just a short distance away in Gaza, where observers reported the intense Israeli attacks persisted.

In the urban center, bombardments were noted in the morning of that day in the western district, sector and Nasr areas and in the eastern area of the community, as well the settlement to the north-west.

"Once the dusk falls, the fear arrives with it," displaced Gaza City resident a local woman, whose young son was killed by an Israeli air strike previously, explained.

"My family are terrified of the air strikes. All the night we are lying together, clinging, notably my little child who places his face on me all night."

"Constantly we check the reports to see the situation. And I'm afraid that this truce will not be finalized and that the fighting will return to us."

Medical Situation

Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City said it had received the remains of six people by the afternoon, including several who died in an Israeli strike in the south part district.

Nasser hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis reported another two victims had been transported. One of them was lost his life by Israeli troops while seeking assistance to the south region, medics reported.

Gaza's health ministry said 25 of the {territ