Grief... as sound of war over border rings out

Battle rages as Israelis mourn

- BY CHRIS HUGHES In Israel Pix by Andy Stenning

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.

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 1,200 killed on October 7, 2023 - the deadliest day ever on Israeli soil.

They had been partying through the night when Hamas militants arrived on their murder mission, before also kidnapping some 250 people.