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People have come together across the country to commemorate 24 months since the Hamas-led assault on October 7th, 2023, as discussions advanced in Egypt over a resolution to the war in the Gaza Strip.

The assault saw more than 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others taken back to Gaza as prisoners. It was the uniquely most lethal day for the Jewish community since the Second World War.

Israel answered by beginning a armed campaign in Gaza which has claimed more than 67,000 people, based on figures from the area's Hamas-run health ministry. Its statistics are seen as accurate by the UN and other global organizations.

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

He also promised to "realize all the objectives of the war: the return of all the captured, the removal of the Hamas administration and the guarantee that Gaza will not create a risk to Israel".

Remembrance Gatherings Across Israel

The Israeli government delayed official commemorations until mid-October - after the end of the religious holiday season - but ceremonies still took place throughout the country on Tuesday.

A memorial ceremony for the loved ones of Israelis who died in the Hamas assault was held in the coastal city. Organized by the affected families, it was televised throughout Israeli television channels.

A period earlier, a minute's silence was held throughout the country.

Negotiation Talks in Egypt

Simultaneously, the conflicting parties' representatives gathered in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a follow-up session of mediated discussions to discuss the conditions of the plan.

A prominent delegate involved in the discussions said that an night meeting of indirect talks commenced at evening in Egypt.

The source stated the day's discussions ended without concrete outcomes, due to differences over the recommended Israeli withdrawal maps from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas seeks to guarantee Israel does not recommence fighting after the opening period of the deal.

He added that the talks are "tough and have still not deliver any significant progress," but noted that facilitators are striving to narrow the disparities between the conflicting groups.

Key Issues in Discussions

• An enduring halt to fighting
• The exchange of the hostages still kept by Hamas for detainees from Gaza
• The withdrawal of military personnel from Gaza
• Measures for humanitarian aid deliveries
• Post-war administration of the area

Civilian Reaction

In the city's public square that day, 29-year-old Hagar - whose brother endured the attack on the gathering, where hundreds were killed and numerous more were abducted by Hamas fighters - explained: "No location seems like home now and until every captive are released no one will feel safe."

"Once we see everybody home again, we can relax again. Then we can commence recover," she concluded.

In front of the leader's residence in the capital, people congregated to show their support for the loved ones of the captives. Israel says nearly fifty remain in captivity in Gaza, twenty of whom are believed to be living.

Activist a participant stated: "We need do any agreement required for the abducted to come back home. But we truly desire promises that we will be secure."

Opinion polls now consistently show that about 70% of Israelis want the conflict to end in exchange for the freedom of the hostages.

Gaza Situation

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

From there, the noise of military attacks and shelling could be heard just a brief space away in Gaza, where witnesses indicated the heavy Israeli shelling persisted.

In Gaza City, attacks were documented in the dawn of that day in the west side district, Rimal and Nasr districts and in the east side neighbourhood of Sheikh Radwan, as well the camp to the northwest.

"As the night comes, the anxiety appears with it," evacuated urban resident a local woman, whose young son was lost his life by an Israeli air strike previously, shared.

"Me and my three children are terrified of the air strikes. During nighttime we are resting together, clinging, particularly my youngest child who places his face on me throughout the night."

"Continuously we look at the updates to see what happened. And I'm concerned that this halt will not be completed and that the fighting will come back to us."

Medical Crisis

Al-Shifa hospital in the urban area announced it had taken in the bodies of half dozen people by the daytime, including several who died in an Israeli strike in the south part al-Sabra neighbourhood.

Nasser hospital in the southern urban center of Khan Younis said additional victims had been delivered. One of them was killed by Israeli troops while seeking aid to the south, health workers said.

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