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Israelis have assembled around the country to mark 24 months since the Hamas-conducted assault on October 7th, 2023, as discussions advanced in Egypt over a conclusion to the hostilities in Gaza.

The assault saw more than 1,200 people killed and 251 others captured back to Gaza as prisoners. It was the most deadliest day for the Jewish community since the Holocaust.

Israel responded by initiating a defensive operation in Gaza which has taken more than 67,000 people, based on figures from the area's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its figures are regarded as reliable by the United Nations and other global organizations.

"The bloodthirsty enemies have struck forcefully, but they have not overcome us," Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday.

He also pledged to "achieve all the goals of the war: the return of all the kidnapped, the elimination of the Hamas government and the guarantee that Gaza will no longer create a risk to Israel".

Remembrance Events Across Israel

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

A commemorative event for the relatives of people killed in the Hamas assault was conducted in the coastal city. Put together by the victims' relatives, it was broadcast across Israeli broadcast stations.

A period earlier, a moment of silence was held around the country.

Negotiation Meetings in Egypt

Meanwhile, the conflicting parties' representatives convened in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for a second day of third-party negotiations to discuss the provisions of the agreement.

A high-ranking representative familiar with the discussions indicated that an night meeting of negotiations started at evening in Egypt.

The source explained the earlier meeting finished without tangible results, because of disagreements over the recommended Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas seeks to guarantee Israel does not recommence combat after the first phase of the deal.

He added that the discussions are "tough and have still not produce any real breakthrough," but noted that mediators are striving to narrow the differences between the conflicting groups.

Critical Points in Negotiations

• A permanent ceasefire
• The exchange of the prisoners still held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The withdrawal of troops from Gaza
• Measures for humanitarian aid deliveries
• After-conflict management of the area

Citizen Feeling

In Tel Aviv's memorial area earlier, young Hagar - whose sibling lived through the attack on the gathering, where 378 people were murdered and numerous more were abducted by Hamas fighters - explained: "Nowhere appears as home any longer and until each abducted person return none of us will feel safe."

"When we see everybody home again, we can feel relief anew. Then we can begin to heal," she added.

Near the prime minister's home in the capital, people gathered to show their solidarity for the relatives of the captives. Israel reports 48 remain in captivity in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be living.

Demonstrator a participant stated: "We need do whatever arrangement needed for the abducted to be released. But we truly desire promises that we will be protected."

Surveys now consistently show that about 70% of Israeli citizens want the war to end in exchange for the freedom of the abducted.

Gaza Conditions

At the site of Nova festival, those paying respects came together to pay their respects.

From there, the boom of Israeli air strikes and artillery could be detected just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where observers indicated the intense Israeli bombardment carried on.

In the main city, attacks were reported in the early hours of Tuesday in the west side Tal al-Hawa, Rimal and zone districts and in the eastern area of Sheikh Radwan, as well the camp to the northwest.

"When the dusk falls, the dread appears with it," evacuated urban resident a mother, whose 17-year-old son was died by an Israeli aerial attack last year, explained.

"Me and my three children are afraid of the air strikes. Throughout the evening we are resting together, holding each other, particularly my smallest child who puts his face on me the entire evening."

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

Health Situation

The medical facility in the urban area reported it had taken in the remains of six people by the midday, including several who lost their lives in an Israeli strike in the southern district.

Another medical facility in the southern urban center of Khan Younis indicated another two fatalities had been delivered. One of them was lost his life by Israeli troops while attempting to get assistance to the south region, health workers said.

The region's health ministry said twenty-five of the {territ