Israel on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault — the deadliest day in the nation’s history — as indirect peace talks with the Palestinian group resumed under a U.S.-brokered plan to end the two-year Gaza war.
The coordinated attack by Hamas-led militants at the close of the Jewish festival of Sukkot left 1,219 people dead in Israel and 251 others taken hostage, according to official figures. Memorial ceremonies were held nationwide, including at the site of the Nova music festival where more than 370 people were killed.
“It was a very difficult and enormous incident that happened here,” said teacher Elad Gancz. “But we want to live — and despite everything, continue with our lives, remembering those who were here and are no longer with us.”
In Gaza, the Hamas-run health ministry reported at least 67,160 deaths from Israel’s retaliatory campaign, which has devastated much of the territory’s infrastructure and displaced hundreds of thousands.
As Israel faces growing international scrutiny — including a recent UN probe accusing it of genocide and rights groups alleging Hamas committed war crimes — negotiations have intensified in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh resort. Mediators are seeking progress on a U.S. 20-point plan calling for a ceasefire, hostage release, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington was “very close” to securing a peace deal, urging both sides to “move fast.”
Despite cautious optimism, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir warned that the army would “return to fighting” if the talks fail.
Public discontent also remains high, with a recent survey showing 72 percent of Israelis dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the conflict.
