Israelis, Palestinians mark 2 years of war

It's been two years since thousands of Hamas-led fighters 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 and abducting 251 others.

In response, Israel launched an offensive into the Gaza Strip that has killed tens of thousands of people and razed entire towns and cities.

As the US is seeking to broker a ceasefire after nearly two years of war, 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.

Gaza's Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll in the war reached 67,160 on Monday.

It's been two years since thousands of Hamas-led fighters 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 and abducting 251 others.

Women walk past a banner with photographs of hostages who were kidnapped and held by the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem, on Tuesday on the second anniversary of Hamas' cross-border attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. AP

A Palestinian source close to Hamas negotiators said the talks, which opened on the eve of the October 7 anniversary, may last for several days.

Trump has urged negotiators to "move fast" to end the war in Gaza, where Israeli strikes continued on Monday.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army said it detected a projectile fired from Gaza, with no injuries reported.

Trump told Newsmax TV that "I think we're very, very close to having a deal... I think there's a lot of goodwill being shown now. It's pretty amazing actually".

Although both sides have welcomed Trump's proposal, reaching an agreement on its details is expected to be a Herculean task.

Two truces earlier in the war enabled the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, though they did not envisage a more permanent ceasefire or the disarmament of Hamas.

Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has warned that if these negotiations fail, the military will "return to fighting" in Gaza.

Agencies