Israel marked the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attack that began its longest war in subdued fashion on Tuesday, with new hopes of ending the conflict but with hostages still in captivity and its exhausted military adding to the death toll of Palestinians and to the destruction in Gaza.
The arrival of the Jewish harvest festival, Sukkot, a national and religious holiday, shut down most businesses across Israel for the day. The government delayed official remembrances of the war’s traumatic first day until Oct. 16, after the end of the High Holiday season.
But Tuesday’s milestone was inescapable.
There were quiet gatherings at some of the kibbutzim near Gaza that suffered the most in the massacres of Oct. 7, 2023, and informal events drew participants throughout the country.
In the city of Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv, about 20 runners in T-shirts with messages advocating the return of the hostages made their way early in the morning along a popular route surrounding the town, which is home to Nimrod Cohen, a soldier held hostage. Passing cars honked in solidarity.
Hundreds of Israelis came to Hostages Square in the center of Tel Aviv, silently meditating over art installations and memorials to those still captive and citizens killed on Oct. 7 or while in captivity. Israel believes that about 20 living hostages are still being held in Gaza along with the remains of 28 others who died in captivity.
Ilana Yahav, 69, a therapist, said Oct. 7 had opened so many wounds that it was impossible to care for everyone who was suffering.
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The post In Israel, Two-Year Anniversary of Oct. 7 Attack Is Quiet but Inescapable appeared first on New York Times.
