Reactions to two-year anniversary of Hamas attack on Israel

(Reuters) -Tuesday marked the two-year anniversary of Palestinian militant group Hamas' attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip.  

Following are reactions from world leaders and others:

EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN:

"We will never forget the horror of the Hamas attacks on 7 October and the pain they caused to innocent victims, their families and the entire people of Israel, two years ago. 

"We honour their memory by working tirelessly for peace. The immediate release of all hostages and a ceasefire are now within reach ... This moment must be seized to pave the way for a lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution."

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON:

"Two years after the unspeakable horror of Hamas terrorism, the pain remains raw. We do not forget.

"I reiterate France's call: the release of all hostages and a ceasefire must take place without delay."

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI:

"Two years have passed since the ignominy of the massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists against thousands of defenceless and innocent Israeli civilians, including women and children. Unspeakable crimes that make October 7 one of the darkest pages in history.

"Hamas' violence has triggered an unprecedented crisis in the Middle East. Israel’s military response has gone beyond any principle of proportionality, claiming too many innocent lives among Gaza’s civilian population.

"We all have a duty to do everything within our power to ensure that this precious and fragile opportunity - the peace plan presented by President Trump - succeeds."

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER:

"Today, we mark two years since the horrifying attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists on October 7th 2023. Time does not diminish the evil we saw that day. The worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. 

"Since that awful day, so many have endured a living nightmare ... Our priority in the Middle East remains the same – release the hostages. Surge aid into Gaza. And a ceasefire that can lead to a lasting and just peace as a step towards a Two-State solution. A safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian state."

GREEK PRIME MINISTER KYRIAKOS MITSOTAKIS:

"Today we pause to honour the victims of terror. We stand firmly against hatred and violence. As talks advance under the @POTUS plan, we urge all parties to act with courage and restraint: toward a lasting ceasefire, release of all hostages and a future of peace and security for all."

SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER ULF KRISTERSSON:

"It has now been exactly two years since Hamas' horrific terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. Against completely civilian Israelis – families, women, children and dancing youth. It was the worst mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust.

"Since then, Jews in Sweden have testified that they feel unsafe in their own country. My message is: There is no place for anti-Semitism in Sweden. Jews in Sweden should be able to proudly wear the Star of David, visit the synagogue and leave their children in Jewish schools. All Swedish Jews should know that we stand behind you."

STATEMENT BY HAMAS AND OTHER MILITANT GROUPS:

"The choice of resistance by all means is the sole and only way to confront the Zionist enemy."

HILDA WEISTHAL, 42, ISRAELI CITIZEN:

"It's like an open wound, the hostages, I can't believe it's been two years and they are still not home. I really hope that all the leaders will make a push and that this war will end."

MOHAMMED DIB, 49, GAZA RESIDENT:

"It's been two years that we are living in fear, horror, displacement and destruction. We are hoping, with these new negotiations, to reach a ceasefire and a final end to the war."

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Compiled by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Sharon Singleton)