Thursday marked a somber national day of remembrance in Israel, honoring the victims of the devastating October 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas on southern Israel, as well as all those who perished in the subsequent conflict. This day of reflection comes nearly a week after a fragile cease-fire was established in Gaza.
A pivotal state ceremony was conducted in Jerusalem at the national cemetery, Mount Herzl, aligning with the Jewish calendar’s two-year observance since the 2023 assault. Hundreds gathered for the event, many dressed in Israeli military attire, paying their respects.
Following the cease-fire, significant exchanges have occurred: Hamas released the final 20 living hostages held in Gaza, while Israel, in turn, freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. This number included 250 individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses or violent acts against Israelis, alongside approximately 1,700 others who had been detained without formal charge during the recent conflict in Gaza.
In a recent development, Israel announced Thursday the identification of two additional bodies returned by Hamas on Wednesday. These individuals were confirmed to have been killed in the October 2023 attack and subsequently taken into Gaza. The truce agreement from the previous week stipulated the immediate return of all bodies from Gaza, though both parties recognized that locating and retrieving some remains might be prolonged due to the extensive damage throughout the enclave.
To date, the Palestinian militant group has transferred at least nine bodies identified by Israel. However, according to a spokesperson from the Israeli prime minister’s office, 19 additional bodies are still believed to be within Gaza.
Conversely, the International Red Cross has confirmed that Israel has returned at least 90 Palestinian bodies to Gaza. Furthermore, the Israeli military has pulled back some of its troops to a designated line within Gaza, allowing some residents to begin returning to their former neighborhoods, many of which now lie in ruins.
The October 7th attack tragically claimed approximately 1,200 lives, encompassing both Israeli civilians and security forces, with an additional 250 individuals taken hostage. The ensuing conflict in Gaza has resulted in at least 67,000 Palestinian fatalities, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Israel’s National Security Council, meanwhile, indicates that over 460 Israelis have died since the war began.