Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 8th October 2025, 10:50 AM
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism that there was a “real chance” to end the war in Gaza, as Israel commemorated the victims of the deadly October 7 attacks two years ago on Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to achieve all the objectives of the war, including dismantling Hamas, the Palestinian militant group responsible for the attacks.
“We are in fateful, decisive days. We will continue to act to achieve all the war’s objectives: the return of all abductees, the elimination of Hamas’s rule, and ensuring that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Indirect talks between Israeli and Hamas negotiators are taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, based on a 20-point plan proposed by Trump to end the war.
“There’s a real chance that we could do something,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, noting that US negotiators were actively involved.
“I think there’s a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East.”
Trump added that the United States would do “everything possible to make sure everyone adheres to the deal” if Hamas and Israel agree on a ceasefire.
Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya stated that his group wanted guarantees from Trump and sponsor countries that the war would end once and for all.
On the anniversary of the attacks, which occurred at the close of Sukkot, Hamas militants carried out the deadliest assault in Israel’s history, sparking a major retaliatory offensive in Gaza.
| Incident | Toll |
| Israeli deaths (AFP tally) | 1,219 (mostly civilians) |
| Hostages taken | 251 |
| Remaining hostages | 47 (including 25 reported dead by Israeli military) |
Senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum called the attack a “historic response” to Israel’s attempts to “eradicate the Palestinian cause,” adding that Hamas was working to “surmount all obstacles” to reach a deal in Egypt.
The conflict has intensified global pressure for resolution, with much of Gaza destroyed, a UN-declared famine unfolding, and families still waiting for the return of hostages.
Human rights investigations last month accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, while Hamas has faced accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the October 7 attack. Both sides reject the allegations.
Trump’s proposed plan includes:
Both Israel and Hamas gave positive responses to the plan, prompting indirect talks that began on Monday.
A Palestinian source close to Hamas noted that Tuesday’s session included discussions on:
“Hamas insists on linking the timeline for the release of captives to the timeline of Israeli withdrawals,” the source added.
On Wednesday, Trump’s special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is set to join the talks, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
“The primary guarantee of success at this stage is US President Trump himself… even if it comes to a point requiring him to impose a vision,” Abdelatty said.
Qatar confirmed that Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani would attend, while Turkish state media reported that the country’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, would lead a delegation.
In Israel, relatives and friends of the victims at the Nova music festival lit candles and observed a minute of silence at the attack site, where over 370 people were killed and dozens taken hostage.
Orit Baron, whose daughter Yuval and her fiancé Moshe Shuva were killed, said:
“Now it’s two years. And I’m here to be with her, because this is the last time that she was alive. I feel that right now she’s with me here.”
Later on Tuesday, thousands gathered for a memorial in Tel Aviv, focusing on the hostages still held in Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,160 people, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations considers credible. Over half of the dead are women and children, though the data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Abeer Abu Said, 21, who lost seven family members, expressed frustration:
“My dream is for the war to end now, not tomorrow. I don’t trust anyone — from the Israeli negotiators or even Hamas. They all lie to us. Negotiations for the sake of negotiations, while we die every minute.”
Abdelatty emphasised that negotiations aim to implement a “first phase” of the agreement:
“This requires the redeployment of Israeli forces so that we can work to implement this phase,” he added.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continued on Tuesday, killing at least six people, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.
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