(TJV NEWS) Emotions ran high in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night as Israel marked two years since Hamas’s devastating October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. Some 30,000 people filled Yarkon Park for what became the nation’s largest memorial ceremony for the deadliest day in Israeli history, The Times of Israel reported.

The event, organized by Kumu (“Rise Up”) — a movement founded by survivors of that day and families of victims and hostages — stood in place of an official state ceremony. The government opted instead to recognize a national day of remembrance corresponding to the Hebrew anniversary of the attack, which falls this year on Thursday, October 16.

Speakers at the memorial highlighted both grief and resilience. Kumu founder Yonatan Shamriz, brother of hostage Alon Shamriz, described the day as not only one of remembrance but also accountability, urging Israelis to “rise” and build a better future. Attendees donned “Bring Them Home” T-shirts, yellow ribbon pins, and dog tags, while 48 yellow chairs on stage represented hostages still held in Gaza.

The ceremony also featured performances and survivor testimonies. Eurovision representative Yuval Raphael and pop star Eden Hason offered musical tributes, while pre-recorded statements from bereaved families brought the horrors of October 7 vividly to the crowd. Organizers and speakers emphasized the ongoing plight of the hostages and called for continued international attention and action.

According to The Times of Israel, several speakers stressed the importance of healing and rebuilding, with Kumu urging the establishment of a state commission of inquiry to ensure accountability for the failures surrounding the Hamas onslaught.