Israelis gathered across the country on Tuesday to commemorate the second anniversary of the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack, which killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Unofficial ceremonies were held in southern kibbutzim, and a large rally was planned in Tel Aviv to demand the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza.
At the Nova music festival site, where over 370 were killed, relatives mourned at dawn. A minute's silence was observed at 6.29am, the exact time the assault began. The official state remembrance is scheduled for 16 October after the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.
The anniversary is overshadowed by renewed ceasefire negotiations. Talks between Hamas and Israel resumed in Egypt on Monday, focusing on hostage releases, prisoner exchanges, and Israeli troop withdrawal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope for a deal in the coming days, while Donald Trump threatened Hamas with 'total obliteration' if no agreement is reached.
In Gaza, the war has killed over 67,000 Palestinians and wounded 170,000, according to the Gaza health ministry. A UN commission and other groups have accused Israel of genocide, which Israel denies, calling its actions self-defence.
