The NYPD is increasing security at religious and cultural sites across New York City ahead of planned demonstrations marking the two-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.
Multiple protests and memorial events are planned throughout the day.
Across the city, many are remembering the victims who have died and the hostages still in captivity. Only 20 of those hostages are believed to be alive.
At Columbia University, more than 1,200 empty chairs were set up, each displaying a photo of someone killed.
Israel marks 2 years since Oct. 7 attack
Thousands of people converged on southern Israel on Tuesday to mourn the dead as the nation marked two years since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack plunged the region into a devastating war, while Israel and Hamas pressed on with indirect peace talks in Egypt.
Israel and Hamas began indirect talks on Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved of the peace deal president Trump has laid out but Hamas has only agreed to parts of the deal. Under the proposed, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages, disarm, and give up power in Gaza.
In return, Israel would withdraw its military from Gaza and release Palestinian prisoners.
The territory would then be placed under international governance.
President Donald Trump said he hopes there will be an agreement on “Phase 1” of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas as early as this week.
A ceasefire is not guaranteed.
A Hamas official has said that it would need days or weeks to locate the bodies of some hostages.
The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said both sides are reviewing lists of Israeli hostages and political prisoners but some are concerned people who are not political prisoners will be released.
Izzy Karten told Eyewitness News that his uncle was kidnapped mutilated and murdered in 1996 by a Hamas terrorist, Jamal Al Hur.
Karten believes Al Hur could be on the list for imminent release and has started a petition in hopes that the Israeli government will keep Al Hur in custody.
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