Memorial events are taking place in southern Israel, in the locations near the Gaza border where Hamas carried out its deadly attack on October 7 two years ago.
Nearly 400 people attending the Nova Music Festival were killed and dozens were abducted from the site in the border community of Reim.
Rows of placards bearing the names and photos of victims of the attack have been erected at the site, as well as flowers and other tributes, Reuters footage showed. Bereaved families plan to erect a sukkah, a festive temporary shelter, at the site, according to the Associated Press.
The Kfar Aza kibbutz, another community where dozens of people were killed and abducted, is also holding a memorial ceremony during the same hour when Hamas first launched its rockets into Israel, marking the start of its attack, according to Reuters.
More than 1,200 people were killed and over 250 hostages were taken by Hamas and other militant groups on October 7, 2023. There are 48 hostages remaining in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Further north, in Tel Aviv, residents have set up makeshift memorials for the hostages, placing candles and yellow ribbons next to photos of those still held in Gaza.
“The hostages, I really can’t believe it’s been almost two years, it’s been two years that they are not at home,” local resident Hilda Weisthal told Reuters on Monday. “I really hope that this agreement will actually happen and will bring everybody home to their families.”
“I really hope that all the leaders will make a push and that this … war will end. And I think it’s the best thing for all civilians.”