A divided Israel marks two years since massacre as war persists

As peace talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Egypt, Israelis have marked the two-year anniversary of the militant group's surprise attack that triggered the bloody conflict that has seen tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza. Alon Bernstein and Melanie Lidman of the Associated Press report

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People attend a memorial at the site of the Nova music festival where hundreds of revellers were killed and abducted, marking the two-year anniversary of the deadly Hamas attack of October 7, 2023

THOUSANDS of people converged on southern Israel to mourn the dead as the nation marked two years since Hamas' October 7 attack plunged the region into a devastating war, while Israel and Hamas pressed on with indirect peace talks in Egypt.

The main memorial event in Tel Aviv, organised by the bereaved families, was separate from a ceremony that the government will hold on the anniversary next week according to the Hebrew calendar.

The split reflects deep divisions over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, which many blame for the failure to secure a ceasefire that would free the remaining hostages held by the militants.

In the Gaza Strip, where Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed tens of thousands of people and razed entire towns and cities, those who can are fleeing another Israeli invasion of Gaza City, while others are sheltering in place. Many are unable to make the arduous and costly journey south.

It's been two years since thousands of Hamas-led militants poured into southern Israel after a surprise barrage of rockets. They stormed army bases, farming communities and an outdoor music festival, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, including women, children and older adults.

They abducted 251 others, most of whom have since been released in ceasefires or other deals. Forty-eight hostages remain inside Gaza, around 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive. Hamas has said it will release them only in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until all of the captives are returned and Hamas has been disarmed.