Jews mourn ..as killings in Gaza rage on

AMID the intolerable grief and mourning at the site of mass murder by Hamas, the sound of gunfire fills the solemn air as across the border war still raged in Gaza.

- BY CHRIS HUGHES

On the second anniversary of the October 7 atrocities yesterday, Israelis gathered to pay their respects to those killed at the Nova music festival in the first wave of the attacks.

But the dignified silences of families and friends honouring those young victims was peppered by the noise of tank shells and artillery fire as the killing in Gaza continued.

It came as Israel and Hamas talks went on in Egypt, raising hopes of peace among war-weary Palestinians and anguished Israelis awaiting the release of hostages.

At the Nova site, 400 revellers were among the 1200 killed on October 7, 2023 - the deadliest day on Israeli soil. They had been partying through the night when Hamas militants arrived on their murder mission, before also kidnapping 250 people.

Noa Farage, 22, was one of those who died. Mum Vicky, dad David and elder brothers Sean, 34, and Tom, 37, joined other mourners to share tales of aching loss, amid a forest of trees, flags and memorial pictures.