Israel observed a subdued second anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that sparked its longest war in two years, with hopes for peace talks but many Palestinians still missing and widespread destruction in Gaza.
On Tuesday, Israeli mourners gathered quietly to mark the occasion, despite the government’s delay in official remembrances until later this month. The Jewish harvest festival, Sukkot, also kept businesses closed across Israel.
In Rehovot, a group of runners wearing “Free Hostages” t-shirts passed through a popular route near Nimrod Cohen, a soldier still held captive. Similar events were held elsewhere in the country, with memorial services and moments of silence to honor those killed or taken hostage during the attacks.
The Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel left over 67,000 Palestinians dead and more than 48 Israeli hostages in captivity, exacerbating international isolation for Israel. The ongoing conflict remains a somber reminder of the devastating impact of war.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/world/middleeast/october-7-anniversary-israel.html