Israel Marks October 7 Anniversary as Talks Held to End Gaza War

Israel observed the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attack on Tuesday, while indirect talks were underway between Hamas and Israeli negotiators aiming to end the two-year war in Gaza under a US-proposed peace plan.

The October 7, 2023 Attack

Two years ago, at the close of the Jewish festival of Sukkot, Hamas-led militants launched a surprise assault on Israel, marking the deadliest day in the country’s history.

Palestinian fighters breached the Gaza-Israel border, storming southern Israeli communities and a desert music festival, employing gunfire, rockets, and grenades.

• Casualties: According to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, 1,219 people were killed, mostly civilians.
• Hostages: Militants abducted 251 hostages into Gaza, of whom 47 remain captive, including 25 whom the Israeli military says are dead.

Commemorations

Memorial events were scheduled across Israel on Tuesday:

• Families and friends of the victims at the Nova music festival, where Hamas gunmen killed more than 370 people and seized dozens of hostages, gathered at the site.
• Another ceremony took place at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, a site of weekly rallies calling for the release of captives.
• A state-organised commemoration is planned for 16 October.

Many Israelis visited the Nova festival site on Monday. Elad Gancz, a teacher, told AFP: “It was a very difficult and enormous incident that happened here. But we want to live – and despite everything, continue with our lives, remembering those who were here and, unfortunately, are no longer with us.”

Humanitarian Impact

Israel’s retaliatory military campaign in Gaza, by air, land, and sea, continues, leaving tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and causing widespread destruction.

Hanan Mohammed, 36, displaced from her home in Jabalia, said: “We have lost everything in this war – our homes, family members, friends, neighbours. I can’t wait for a ceasefire to be announced and for this endless bloodshed and death to stop… there is nothing left but destruction.”

A recent survey by the Institute for National Security Studies found that 72% of Israelis are dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the war.

Military Operations and International Pressure

Israel has expanded its military reach, striking targets in five regional capitals, including Iran, and killing several senior Hamas figures and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Both Israel and Hamas now face mounting international pressure:

• A UN probe last month accused Israel of genocide in Gaza.
• Human rights groups have accused Hamas of war crimes during the October 7 attack.
• Both sides reject these allegations.

US Peace Proposal and Indirect Talks

Last week, US President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point plan calling for:

1. An immediate ceasefire once Hamas releases all hostages.
2. Disarmament of Hamas.
3. A gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Indirect talks began Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, with mediators shuttling between delegations under tight security.

• Focus of talks: Preparing for a hostage-prisoner exchange under Trump’s plan (according to Al-Qahera News).
• A Palestinian source close to Hamas negotiators said the talks, which began on the eve of the October 7 anniversary, may last several days.

Trump urged negotiators to “move fast” to end the war in Gaza, where Israeli strikes continued on Monday. Speaking to Newsmax TV, he said: “I think we’re very, very close to having a deal… I think there’s a lot of goodwill being shown now. It’s pretty amazing actually.”

Challenges Ahead

Although both sides have welcomed Trump’s proposal, reaching an agreement is expected to be a Herculean task.

• The war has seen two previous ceasefires, which enabled the release of dozens of hostages.
• Israeli military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, warned that if negotiations fail, the military will “return to fighting” in Gaza.

The humanitarian and political stakes remain extremely high as the conflict enters its third year, with both sides facing pressure to end hostilities while managing internal and international expectations.