Israelis have stood in silence today to mark the second anniversary of its darkest day, October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack that claimed more than 1,200 lives and resulted in hundreds being taken hostage.
Across southern communities and in Tel Aviv, citizens held memorials at border towns and at the Nova festival site.
At the same time, families rallied in ‘Hostages Square,’ insisting on the return of those still held in Gaza.
Many said prayers, while some shed tears and hugged each other as they marked the solemn occasion.
The families of some victims organised vigils in front of pictures of their loved ones as they mourned their loss.
The parents of Shiran Slavin visited the Nova festival site near Kibbutz Reim, where hundreds of revellers were massacred by heavily armed terrorists.
Orit Baron, whose daughter Yuval was killed at the festival with her fiance Moshe Shuva, told AFP the day was a ‘black’ date for her family.
‘Now it’s two years. And I’m here to be with her, because this is the last time that she was alive,’ the 57-year-old mother said at the site of the attack, adding she felt ‘that right now she’s with me here’.
Members of the kibbutz community of Kfar Aza also observed a moment of silence to honour the victims and those who are still held in captivity in Gaza.
A minute of silence was observed at 6:29am, the time Hamas began its attack two years ago.
There will be a main memorial ceremony in Tel Aviv, which will include musical performances and speeches.
It is being put together by Yonathan Shamriz, whose brother was among the three hostages who were mistakenly killed by Israeli forces.
Israelis gather to mark its darkest day. Some said prayers while others shed tears
The parents of Shiran Slavin attended a memorial at the site of the Nova festival, where she and hundreds of people were killed
Pictures of people who died during Israel’s darkest day are displayed during a memorial to mark the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks
Flower tributes and candles are placed in front of posters on a wall during a memorial in southern Israel
A state-organised commemoration is planned for October 16 after the ongoing Sukkot holidays.
In the early hours of October 7, 2023, Hamas and allied militant groups launched a large-scale, coordinated assault from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel.
They fired thousands of rockets before breaching the border fence in dozens of places using explosives, bulldozers, and motorbikes.
The militants then stormed into nearby Israeli communities, killing civilians in their homes and on the streets.
In the days that followed, investigators and first responders described grim scenes in the aftermath of the rampage.
Entire neighbourhoods were left strewn with bodies. Footage verified by international media showed victims handcuffed, shot, or burned inside their homes.
Human Rights Watch later concluded that Hamas-led groups had deliberately targeted civilians, committed hostage-taking, and carried out acts amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Reports of sexual violence also emerged from multiple attack sites.
A woman holds flowers as she pays tribute to the victims of Hamas’ brutal attacks
Residents found comfort in each other as they reflected on the solemn occasion
A woman breaks down in tears as she mourns the nation’s losses. In the early hours of October 7, 2023, Hamas and allied militant groups launched a large-scale, coordinated assault from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel
A man emotionally touches a shrine for one of the victims of the attacks. Gaza militants stormed into Israeli communities, killing civilians in their homes and on the streets
Israeli police and forensic specialists said they found evidence suggesting that some women were raped and mutilated before being killed.
Human Rights Watch and other international observers said there was credible evidence that sexual assaults took place, though investigations are still ongoing.
Since the Hamas assault, Israel has launched an extensive military campaign in Gaza.
The conflict has caused catastrophic destruction, especially in densely populated areas.
According to Reuters, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, including a high proportion of civilians and children, while Israel says it has killed at least 20,000 fighters.
Efforts at negotiation led to a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange agreement from 19 January to 18 March 2025, during which multiple rounds of exchanges took place.
However, after further attacks, the ceasefire was abruptly broken and full-scale hostilities resumed.
Hundreds of thousands of homeless Gazans now shelter in overcrowded camps and open areas with little access to food, water or sanitation.
‘We have lost everything in this war, our homes, family members, friends, neighbours,’ said Hanan Mohammed, 36, who is displaced from her home in Jabalia.
Two people solemnly inspect the picture and tribute put up for Israelis who died in the assault
A woman tends to a memorial set up for people who were slaughtered by Hamas militants
Some wore T-shirts with ‘October 7th’ branded across the back as mourners gathered to pay tribute
People stood in silence as they reflected on the atrocities committed by Hamas two years ago
‘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.’
In Gaza, famine conditions have worsened amid the blockade and disruption of aid. In March 2025, Israel temporarily blocked all supplies, leading to acute food shortages and reported deaths from starvation.
The blockade has severely restricted food, fuel, water, medicine, and electricity into Gaza.
After two years of war, 72 per cent of the Israeli public said they were dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the war, according to a recent survey by the Institute for National Security Studies.
Last month, US president Donald Trump revealed a 20-point peace plan, which was approved by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Although both sides have welcomed Trump’s proposal, reaching an agreement on its details is expected to be a Herculean task.
On Sunday, Trump urged mediators to ‘move fast’ to ensure a deal is reached. He warned that any delay could lead to ‘massive bloodshed’.
His warning came as American, Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators met in Cairo for further rounds of talks.
While Hamas has accepted parts of the plan, including the formation of a technocratic Palestinian administration to govern Gaza, it is resisting demands to disarm or play no future role in the territory’s leadership.
A memorial vigil is held in front of the Brandenburg Gate today. In other parts of the world, people have gathered to mark the occasion
Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, people gathered to mark the occasion.
In Germany, there was a memorial vigil in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Members of the Australian Jewish community also held a rally in Sydney where they demanded the release of all remaining hostages.
This is a breaking news story with more to follow
