By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two years after one of the darkest days in Israel’s history, the scars of Oct. 7, 2023, still run deep.
The Hamas attacks that day reshaped the region. The impacts continue to be felt across the world.
It was dawn on Oct. 7, 2023, when the sky over southern Israel lit up with rockets. Within hours, Hamas-led militants had crossed the border, storming army bases, villages and a crowded outdoor music festival. More than 1,200 people were killed — most of them civilians — and hundreds more were dragged into Gaza as hostages.
Two years later, the ramifications are still being felt on both sides. Hamas’ forces have been largely destroyed, but civilians in Gaza continue to suffer heavy losses, starvation and other dire conditions as the conflict continue.
Frustration is growing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at home and abroad. A recent United Nations inquiry determined that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Much of the Israeli population is split over Netanyahu’s approach to the war as calls for the hostages’ return grow louder.
Of the 251 people taken hostage by Hamas, 48 are still being held. Israel believes only 20 are alive.
Lawmakers in Washington addressed the somber two-year anniversary of the attacks, while also calling for the return of the hostages.
“The brutality and viciousness of Hamas’s attack — indiscriminate violence against innocent infants, young people at a music concert, women and the elderly; sexual violence; taking hundreds hostage — remain ever present in my mind. We must never allow the world to forget the horrors Hamas inflicted on that day, which will forever live in infamy,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- NY.) in a post on social media.
“At this crucial moment in negotiations, the Trump administration, all those at the table, and the international community must do everything to finally secure a ceasefire-hostage agreement to end the war in Gaza, bring home the hostages held by Hamas, surge humanitarian relief for innocent Palestinians in Gaza, and build to lasting peace,” Schumer added.
“We want the release of the hostages immediately,” said President Trump on Tuesday.
“On this two-year anniversary of 10/07, I remain deeply proud to stand with Israel. Finally, there’s a clear path to peace. This awful war must end. The free world should demand Hamas accept this plan and free the hostages,” said Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on social media.
Now, after 24 months of deadly conflict, there is renewed hope following a new peace proposal led by the United States.
“I think there’s a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East — something even beyond the Gaza situation,” said Trump.
The plan calls for an immediate end to the fighting, the release of all hostages within 72 hours and the freeing of more than 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, among several other terms.
Hamas announced Friday it has agreed to release all remaining hostages and give up power under the deal. However, the group also said some terms require additional discussion.
“There are technical talks happening right now in Egypt,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday. “And the administration is working very hard to move the ball forward as quickly as we can.”
“Our team is over there now, another team just left. Other countries — literally every country in the world — has supported the plan,” said Trump.
Israel has already accepted the terms of the agreement and leaders are publicly signaling support for eventually pulling out of Gaza, which is another key condition in the peace proposal.
