Jerusalem, October 7, 2025
JERUSALEM — Two years after Hamas militants launched a devastating assault on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages, the nation observed the grim milestone on Tuesday with a series of low-key, community-led ceremonies. The commemorations, held amid the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, were notably restrained, lacking an official state event due to religious observances, even as indirect ceasefire negotiations in Egypt offered a flicker of optimism for ending the protracted Gaza war.
The attack on October 7, 2023 — which unfolded during the joyous festival of Sukkot — saw thousands of militants breach Israel's border, targeting kibbutzim, military outposts, and the Nova music festival near the Gaza Strip. Nearly 400 revelers were slain at the festival alone, with dozens taken captive in one of the deadliest days for Jews since the Holocaust. Of the hostages, most have been freed through prior deals, but 48 remain in Gaza, with Israeli officials estimating around 20 are still alive.
This year's remembrances were overshadowed by the holiday calendar, pushing the national ceremony to October 16 at Mount Herzl, Israel's military cemetery. Instead, Israelis turned to intimate gatherings that blended mourning with urgent calls for action. In the battered kibbutzim of Kfar Aza and Be'eri — where entire families were slaughtered or kidnapped — residents and relatives lit candles and shared stories under temporary memorials adorned with victims' portraits. "This angel would have been 27 today. I live the memory as if it were an hour ago," said Ofir Dor, whose son Idan was killed at the Nova festival, as she stood beneath a display of smiling faces from that day.
At the Reim site of the Nova festival, hundreds of survivors and bereaved families convened over the weekend, erecting a sukkah — a traditional Sukkot booth — as a symbol of fragile resilience amid devastation. Portraits of the fallen and kidnapped fluttered from Israeli flags, while the air filled with quiet prayers and folk songs echoing the festival's tragic end. No formal program unfolded there on Tuesday, respecting the holiday, but the gathering underscored the lingering trauma: charred vehicles and bullet-riddled structures remain as stark reminders.
In Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, a rally drew thousands on Saturday night, evolving into a poignant demand for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seal a hostage deal. Families waved banners and chanted for the release of their loved ones, tying their grief directly to the ongoing conflict. Netanyahu, facing weekly protests over his handling of the war, hinted at progress, stating he hopes to announce hostage returns "in the coming days." A separate civil society memorial concert, organized by the nonprofit KUMU and led by bereaved families, was slated for Tuesday evening, featuring music and speeches honoring the 1,200 victims while spotlighting the captives.
Adding to the day's symbolism, thousands of cyclists pedaled through the Gaza envelope communities in a commemorative tour, their wheels tracing the borderlands scarred by the invasion. The event, one of the largest public expressions, amplified cries to "bring them home now," referring to the 48 still held.
The subdued tone reflects not only religious constraints but also a war-weary society fractured by recriminations. Many blame Netanyahu's government for intelligence failures that enabled the breach and for stalling hostage talks, fueling mass demonstrations and calls for his resignation. Israel's international standing has eroded, with genocide accusations at the United Nations and arrest warrants sought by the International Criminal Court against Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Since October 7, over 1,150 Israeli security forces members have died, per the Defense Ministry.
Yet, glimmers of hope pierced the sorrow as negotiators from Israel and Hamas convened in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for indirect talks brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. The discussions, which began Monday and extended into Tuesday, center on U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point ceasefire framework: Hamas would release all hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, followed by an Israeli troop withdrawal to pre-war lines and the establishment of an international stabilization force for Gaza. Mediators reported a "positive atmosphere," with Trump — who hosted American-Israeli hostage family Edan Alexander at the White House — declaring, "Everyone just came together" and predicting a deal soon. Hamas has signaled concessions, though sticking points like governance handover and timelines persist.
The war's toll in Gaza is staggering: Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, with 90% of the 2.3 million residents displaced multiple times and famine gripping northern areas due to aid restrictions. Israel attributes the crisis to Hamas's use of civilian infrastructure, while the group frames its attack as resistance to occupation. Airstrikes continued Tuesday, killing at least 19, including aid seekers, even as talks progressed.
Global leaders weighed in on the anniversary. UN Secretary-General António Guterres pleaded for civilians to "stop paying with their lives and future," urging an end to the suffering. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned planned pro-Palestinian protests in the UK as "un-British," citing risks to Jewish communities amid rising antisemitism. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated calls for hostage freedom while demanding Netanyahu halt what he termed a "genocide" and open humanitarian corridors.
As sirens wailed at 6:30 a.m. — the precise hour of the 2023 assault — Israelis paused in silent tribute, their faces etched with unresolved pain. For many, Tuesday was less a closure than a crossroads: a day to honor the lost while clinging to the fragile promise of peace. "We will never forget," one X user posted, capturing the sentiment rippling across social media. The path forward remains uncertain, but with negotiators at the table, the ghosts of October 7 may yet yield to a new dawn.
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