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Citizens have assembled around the country to mark two years since the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, as talks proceeded in Egypt over an end to the war in Gaza.

The attack led to more than 1,200 people dead and 251 others captured back to Gaza as captives. It was the single deadliest day for the Jewish community since the Holocaust.

Israel responded by launching a armed campaign in Gaza which has taken more than 67,000 people, based on figures from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Its statistics are seen as reliable by the UN and other international bodies.

"The bloodthirsty opponents have hit us hard, but they have not overcome us," the prime minister stated on Tuesday.

He also promised to "realize all the aims of the war: the return of all the kidnapped, the elimination of the Hamas regime and the guarantee that Gaza will never again present a danger to Israel".

Remembrance Gatherings Across Israel

The national leadership postponed formal remembrance events until mid-October - after the completion of the festive season - but ceremonies still were held around the country on Tuesday.

A memorial ceremony for the loved ones of people killed in the Hamas incident was conducted in the coastal city. Organized by the affected families, it was broadcast across Israeli broadcast stations.

A period earlier, a silent tribute was held around the country.

Peace Discussions in Egypt

At the same time, both sides' representatives gathered in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for a continuing round of mediated discussions to examine the terms of the proposal.

A senior Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations indicated that an night meeting of mediated discussions commenced at 7 PM local time.

The source explained the day's discussions finished without significant progress, amid conflicting views over the recommended Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas demands to ensure Israel does not restart hostilities after the opening period of the agreement.

He noted that the discussions are "tough and have still not produce any real breakthrough," but noted that intermediaries are making efforts to reduce the disparities between the two sides.

Essential Points in Talks

• A permanent ceasefire
• The swap of the prisoners still kept by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The pullout of Israeli forces from Gaza
• Measures for assistance deliveries
• Future management of the region

Citizen Reaction

In Tel Aviv's public square that day, young a woman - whose sibling survived the attack on the outdoor event, where 378 people were lost their lives and many more were abducted by Hamas militants - told: "Nowhere appears as home any longer and until all the hostages come back no one will be secure."

"Once we see everyone home again, we can breathe once more. Then we can start to rebuild," she continued.

Near the prime minister's residence in the capital, people assembled to show their backing for the families of the hostages. Israel says forty-eight continue in confinement in Gaza, approximately twenty of whom are considered to be surviving.

Demonstrator a participant remarked: "It's necessary do any agreement necessary for the captives to return. But we truly desire guarantees that we will be safe."

Surveys now regularly indicate that approximately 70% of Israelis desire the conflict to finish in as payment for the liberation of the hostages.

Gaza Situation

At the location of the gathering, those paying respects came together to honor the dead.

From there, the sound of aerial bombardments and explosions could be detected just a short distance away in Gaza, where local people indicated the intense Israeli bombardment continued.

In the urban center, attacks were reported in the dawn of Tuesday in the western neighborhood, area and locality areas and in the eastern district of that sector, as well Shati refugee camp to the northwest.

"Once the evening falls, the fear comes with it," relocated Gaza City resident a local woman, whose teenage son was lost his life by an Israeli bombing earlier, explained.

"Me and my three children are terrified of the attacks. Throughout the evening we are lying together, embracing, notably my smallest child who puts his head on me throughout the night."

"Constantly we look at the reports to see the situation. And I'm worried that this halt will not be completed and that the conflict will come back to us."

Health Crisis

The medical facility in Gaza City reported it had received the corpses of six people by the afternoon, including several who lost their lives in an Israeli bombing in the south part al-Sabra neighbourhood.

A different healthcare center in the south region of Khan Younis said two more victims had been delivered. One of them was died by Israeli soldiers while looking for assistance to the south region, medics reported.

Gaza's health ministry said 25 of the {territ