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People have gathered throughout the country to commemorate two years since the Hamas-conducted offensive on October 7th, 2023, as negotiations proceeded in Egypt over a resolution to the hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

The attack resulted in over 1,200 people killed and 251 others captured away to Gaza as prisoners. It was the uniquely most lethal day for Jews since the Second World War.

Israel responded by beginning a military offensive in Gaza which has taken more than 67,000 people, as reported by the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Its numbers are considered trustworthy by the UN and other world agencies.

"The bloodthirsty opponents have caused great damage, but they have not overcome us," Benjamin Netanyahu remarked on Tuesday.

He also pledged to "achieve all the goals of the war: the return of all the kidnapped, the removal of the Hamas regime and the promise that Gaza will never again present a risk to Israel".

Remembrance Ceremonies Across Israel

The national leadership delayed official commemorations until mid-October - after the completion of the festive season - but ceremonies still took place throughout the country on Tuesday.

A memorial ceremony for the relatives of Israeli citizens who lost their lives in the Hamas attack was held in Tel Aviv. Put together by the victims' relatives, it was aired throughout Israeli television channels.

Hours earlier, a silent tribute was observed throughout the country.

Negotiation Meetings in Egypt

At the same time, the conflicting parties' representatives convened in the North African Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for a follow-up session of indirect talks to examine the terms of the proposal.

A prominent representative familiar with the negotiations said that an late session of mediated discussions started at 7 PM local time.

The representative said the day's discussions ended without tangible results, because of disagreements over the recommended Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas demands to guarantee Israel does not restart combat after the initial stage of the agreement.

He added that the negotiations are "tough and have yet to produce any significant progress," but noted that intermediaries are striving to reduce the differences between the conflicting groups.

Critical Points in Negotiations

• An enduring halt to fighting
• The swap of the prisoners still kept by Hamas for detainees from Gaza
• The removal of military personnel from Gaza
• Measures for humanitarian aid distribution
• Post-war governance of the area

Civilian Reaction

In the city's public square that day, young Hagar - whose brother survived the incident on the gathering, where many attendees were murdered and many more were abducted by Hamas militants - explained: "Nowhere seems like home any longer and until each abducted person are released not a single person will be secure."

"When we see everyone home again, we can breathe once more. Then we can start to heal," she concluded.

Outside the prime minister's official dwelling in the capital, people assembled to show their solidarity for the families of the hostages. Israel reports 48 continue in detention in Gaza, 20 of whom are considered to be alive.

Demonstrator a participant explained: "We must do any agreement needed for the hostages to return. But we truly desire promises that we will be protected."

Surveys now consistently show that around the majority of Israeli citizens prefer the hostilities to end in exchange for the release of the abducted.

Gaza Conditions

At the location of the music event, grieving people assembled to pay their respects.

From there, the boom of aerial bombardments and shelling could be noticed just a short distance away in Gaza, where witnesses indicated the intense Israeli attacks carried on.

In Gaza City, bombardments were noted in the morning of Tuesday in the western district, area and zone districts and in the eastern neighbourhood of the community, as well the settlement to the north-west.

"As the night arrives, the fear comes with it," displaced urban resident Emaan al-Wahidi, whose young son was killed by an Israeli air strike last year, described.

"We are afraid of the bombings. During nighttime we are resting together, holding each other, especially my youngest child who puts his head on me the entire evening."

"Every second we monitor the news to see what happened. And I'm afraid that this truce will not be finalized and that the conflict will come back to us."

Humanitarian Crisis

The healthcare center in Gaza City reported it had received the bodies of half dozen people by the daytime, including a trio who died in an Israeli strike in the southern area.

Nasser hospital in the south region of that area said another two fatalities had been delivered. An individual was killed by Israeli forces while looking for help to the south region, medics said.

The region's health ministry announced 25 of the {territ