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Citizens have gathered throughout the country to mark 24 months since the Hamas-initiated offensive on 7 October 2023, as negotiations proceeded in the neighboring country over an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.

The assault led to over 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others abducted back to Gaza as hostages. It was the uniquely deadliest day for Jews since the Second World War.

Israel answered by beginning a military offensive in Gaza which has taken in excess of 67,000 people, based on figures from the territory's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its figures are considered reliable by the UN and other world agencies.

"Our aggressive enemies have hit us hard, but they have not defeated us," Benjamin Netanyahu stated on that day.

He also pledged to "accomplish all the objectives of the war: the return of all the kidnapped, the elimination of the Hamas administration and the promise that Gaza will not pose a threat to Israel".

Memorial Ceremonies Across Israel

The national leadership delayed formal commemorations until mid-October - after the completion of the religious holiday season - but gatherings still took place throughout the country on Tuesday.

A commemorative event for the loved ones of Israeli citizens who died in the Hamas incident was organized in Tel Aviv. Organized by the families themselves, it was aired throughout Israeli television channels.

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

Ceasefire Talks in Egypt

Simultaneously, the conflicting parties' delegations convened in the North African Red Sea resort of the Egyptian city for a continuing round of third-party negotiations to review the terms of the plan.

A senior representative involved in the discussions revealed that an late session of negotiations started at 7 PM local time.

The representative stated the earlier meeting ended without tangible results, due to conflicting views over the proposed Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over assurances Hamas wants to make certain Israel does not restart combat after the first phase of the agreement.

He commented that the talks are "tough and have not yet achieve any major advancement," but pointed out that facilitators are striving to close the differences between the both parties.

Key Matters in Discussions

• An enduring truce
• The exchange of the prisoners still kept by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The pullout of troops from Gaza
• Plans for relief supplies deliveries
• After-conflict management of the territory

Public Reaction

In the city's memorial area earlier, young Hagar - whose sibling survived the attack on the Nova music festival, where 378 people were killed and numerous more were captured by Hamas gunmen - told: "No location appears as home now and until all the hostages come back none of us will feel safe."

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

In front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official dwelling in Jerusalem, people congregated to express their solidarity for the loved ones of the hostages. Israel says 48 continue in confinement in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be surviving.

Demonstrator one woman remarked: "We need do every compromise necessary for the hostages to come back home. But we truly desire guarantees that we will be safe."

Surveys now regularly indicate that approximately the majority of Israeli citizens want the war to finish in exchange for the freedom of the hostages.

Palestinian Situation

At the site of Nova festival, those paying respects came together to remember the victims.

From the site, the boom of military attacks and shelling could be heard just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where observers said the severe Israeli bombardment persisted.

In Gaza City, bombardments were documented in the dawn of Tuesday in the western neighborhood, area and locality areas and in the east side area of that sector, as well Shati refugee camp to the north-west.

"Once the evening falls, the fear arrives with it," relocated urban resident Emaan al-Wahidi, whose teenage son was died by an Israeli aerial attack previously, described.

"My family are afraid of the air strikes. During nighttime we are resting together, embracing, especially my little child who places his face on me all night."

"Constantly we monitor the news to see what happened. And I'm concerned that this truce will not be finalized and that the fighting will return to us."

Humanitarian Crisis

The healthcare center in Gaza City announced it had accepted the corpses of half dozen people by the midday, including a trio who died in an Israeli attack in the south part area.

Another medical facility in the southern urban center of that area said another two fatalities had been transported. One of them was killed by Israeli forces while attempting to get aid to the south, medical staff said.

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