Donald Trump presents a plan to the world for Gaza: what the agreement entails.

Families honor the memory of the deceased

According to The Sun: Families gathered to honor the memory of their loved ones on the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks, praying for an end to the war in Gaza.

Commemorative events took place in the destroyed kibbutzim in southern Israel, two years after Hamas terrorists initiated the conflict, claiming the lives of 1,200 people.

Those present also remembered those who remain hostages in Gaza, whose lives now depend on Donald Trump's peace plan.

Trump has insisted for several months on a general ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

He presented a 20-page plan that Hamas has yet to sign while peace negotiations are ongoing in Egypt.

Among the main conditions of the plan is the safe return of all remaining hostages.

Only about 20 out of 48 captured individuals are still alive, but Israel insists on the return of all before agreeing to a ceasefire.

Commemoration of victims

The main memorial event took place just two miles from the Gaza border in Re'im, where a massacre occurred at the Nova festival, claiming the lives of about 400 young people.

Relatives started gathering early in the morning around a large memorial alley with photographs of the deceased.

Many people cried as they walked past a sea of young faces, acknowledging that it is still hard to cope with the loss two years after the tragedy.

Among them was the family of Noa Farage, a 22-year-old surfing enthusiast who planned a trip to Thailand.

But she did not get to fulfill her dream and died in the early hours of the war, which has now lasted for two years.

Her family – mother Vicki, father David, brothers Sean, and Tom – gathered around Noa's photo to honor her memory.

The sounds of artillery fire and explosions filled the air as the family embraced and prayed.

“I don’t feel anger – I just feel terrible sadness, remembering the wonderful memories,” Vicki said.

“We thought it was important to come here today, to this dignified place.”

“Noa was such a happy and positive person, and we all want to live like she did – that’s how we remember her,” Sean added.

“It’s hard to believe the war has been going on for two years since Noa's death. We want this war to end for the good of all,” Tom said.

Orit Baron, whose daughter Yuval died at the festival alongside her fiancé Moshe Shuvah, described October 7 as a “black” day.

“Now two years have passed. And I am here to be with her, as this is the last moment she was alive,” the emotional mother noted.

The main memorial ceremony was organized by the families of the deceased at the Hostages' Square in Tel Aviv. A separate memorial service will take place next week on the Jewish anniversary.

In the meantime, Hamas is again requesting the release of its terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre.

The group reportedly called for their names to be added to the list of Palestinians who will be released as part of Trump's peace plan for Gaza.

I visited the kibbutz where Hamas killed families… what I saw made my blood run cold

Katie Davis, Senior Foreign Reporter (Digital)

Walking through endless charred ruins and looking at more than a dozen bullet holes, I felt sick.

For nearly seven decades, the Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel was a refuge for its 400 residents.

But their paradise, just a mile from the Gaza border, was destroyed on October 7, 2023.

A few Hamas terrorists invaded the village – killing indiscriminately and causing wounds that may never heal, on one of the darkest days in Israel's history.

Strolling through this horrifying crime scene, I was struck.

Nothing could prepare me to see this place that should be full of life now bearing the scars of incredible horror.

The silence in the kibbutz is deafening, save for the occasional yowling of cats or the sounds of wind chimes.

Once it was a close-knit community where children grew up and adults aged, but now every aspect of human life is in ruins.

Rows of modest houses standing charred – a terrible reminder of Hamas’s endless actions.

However, Israeli sources warned that such a demand could undermine any possibility of an agreement that hoped to secure the release of hostages by the end of the week.

This blockade from the terrorist group occurred despite Trump’s warnings that he would allow Israeli troops to launch an assault on their last stronghold in Gaza if they did not agree to his proposal.

Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir warned today that if negotiations fail, the army “will return to fighting” in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Trump assured that “huge progress” had been made in the negotiations in Egypt, adding that he is “quite confident” that an agreement can be reached.

On that day, it was reported that a rocket was fired at an Israeli town that had already been targeted by Hamas militants in 2023.

The projectile was found near Netiv Ha'asara, a small agricultural settlement on the northern border with Gaza.

No casualties among the civilian population or damage to their homes were reported.

This anniversary serves as a somber reminder of the suffering and losses experienced by families as a result of the conflict. Despite efforts to restore peace, the situation remains tense as both sides continue to seek pathways to peace. The issue of hostages, highlighted during the events, remains at the center of discussions, and calls for their release continue to resonate.

Given the ongoing tensions, the peace process faces numerous challenges. As Trump states, it is crucial to find compromise solutions to avoid further violence and embark on a path of rebuilding trust between the parties.