Thousands of people yesterday converged in southern Israel to mourn the dead as the nation marked two years since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack plunged the region into a devastating war, while Israel and Hamas pressed on with indirect peace talks in Egypt.
The main memorial in Tel Aviv, planned for later in the evening and organized by the bereaved families, is separate from a ceremony that the government is to hold on the anniversary next week according to the Hebrew calendar.
The split in the ceremonies reflects deep divisions over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’s leadership, which many blame for the failure to secure a ceasefire that would free the remaining hostages held by the militants.
Photo: Bloomberg
In the Gaza Strip, where Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed tens of thousands of people and razed entire towns and cities, those who can are fleeing another Israeli invasion of Gaza City while others are sheltering in place. Many are unable to make the arduous and costly journey south.
It has been two years since thousands of Hamas-led militants poured into southern Israel after a surprise barrage of rockets. They stormed army bases, farming communities and the Nova outdoor music festival, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, including women, children and older adults. They abducted 251 others, most of whom have since been released in ceasefires or other deals. Forty-eight hostages remain inside Gaza, about 20 of them believed by Israel to still be alive.
Although there was no official ceremony at the Nova site, due to the Jewish holiday of Sukkot that coincides with the anniversary, thousands of people visited throughout the day to share memories of relatives and friends who were killed, weaving through hundreds of photos encircling the spot where a DJ booth stood.
Photo: Reuters
In Egypt, peace talks between Israel and Hamas resumed at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, focused on a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump last week that aims to bring about an end to the war.
After several hours of talks on Monday, an Egyptian official with knowledge of the discussions said the parties agreed on most of the first-phase terms, which include the release of hostages and establishing a ceasefire. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the talks resumed yesterday afternoon.
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty told journalists that members of the US delegation would join the talks today.
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