Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel was in "days of critical decision" as he commemorated two years since the October 7 massacre in a Tuesday evening statement.
"Two years have passed since the October 7 attack — the horrific massacre of our brothers and sisters, the residents of the western Negev, and the participants of the Nova music festival," Netanyahu wrote.
"We have paid a deeply painful price. Babies, children, adults, and the elderly were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists. Two hundred fifty-one men and women were kidnapped into the terror tunnels of the Gaza Strip."
He added that he and his family "bow our heads in memory of our fallen, whose images will forever be etched in our hearts."
"The War of Rebirth, fought on seven fronts, is a fateful war for our home — a war for our very existence and our future," he wrote, adding that he felt pride in Israel's resilience alongside the sorrow that the anniversary brought.
Netanyahu, Herzog commemorate October 7 massacre
"Together we have broken the Iranian axis, together we have reshaped the Middle East, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel."
Netanyahu wrote that his administration would work to achieve the war goals as set by the Security Cabinet in light of the ongoing hostage and ceasefire talks in Gaza.
"Together we will stand — and together, with God’s help, we will prevail."
President Isaac Herzog wrote that the October 7 massacre was "the day Israel’s soul was torn apart."
"From that darkness rose the courage of our soldiers, the heroism of our citizens, and the unity of a people who refused to break. We will not rest, we will not be silent, until all 48 hostages are home," Herzog added.
"Israel remains a beacon of freedom and democracy in a turbulent region, and I truly believe that out of the pain of these years, a new era of cooperation and shared prosperity can yet be born," he wrote, adding that Israel stood "shoulder-to-shoulder" with Jewish communities everywhere.
"From the depths of grief we draw strength; from the ashes of tragedy we build renewal. The story of Israel is the story of resilience, of a people who will never give up, never give in, and never stop believing that light will overcome the darkness."
He then thanked Israel's allies for their messages of support on the anniversary, and thanked US President Donald Trump for "his incredible efforts to bring all our hostages home and bring peace to the Middle East."