A woman reacts as families of Israeli hostages and supporters protest outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence, marking the two-year anniversary of the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas from Gaza, in Jerusalem, October 7, 2025. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
A girl walks through an installation of flowers at the site of the Nova festival where partygoers were killed and kidnapped, on the two-year anniversary of the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas from Gaza, in Reim, southern Israel, October 7, 2025. REUTERS/Itay Cohen
People hold posters of Israeli hostages, and a banner, calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war and return the hostages, on the two-year anniversary of the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas from Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 7, 2025. REUTERS/Tomer Neuberg
Pictures of victims are placed on chairs as people attend a vigil to mark the two-year anniversary of the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas from Gaza, at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, October 7, 2025. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

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

The following are reactions from around the world:

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."

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."

NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ESPEN BARTH EIDE:

"Two years have passed since Hamas’ brutal terrorist attack against Israel and the Jewish people ... My thoughts are with all those affected on that painful day, and with everyone still living with the deep trauma and lasting repercussions.

"The events of 7 October 2023 also marked the beginning of the ensuing devastating warfare in Gaza. Every country has the right to defend itself against terrorism. Equally important, such defence must be conducted in accordance with international law, humanitarian law, and human rights. Norway has been clear that Israel’s response to the 7 October attacks has gone far beyond the limits set by these rules. Gaza lies in ruins and the Palestinian population has been subjected to unimaginable suffering."

DANISH PRIME MINISTER METTE FREDERIKSEN:

"Today marks two years since armed Hamas terrorists crossed the Israeli border early in the morning. Murdered innocent families. Slaughtered partying youth at a music festival in cold blood. Took more than 250 hostages.

"And it's been two years since Netanyahu launched his war in Gaza. What was initially a legitimate Israeli self-defence. Now also involves preventing a Palestinian state from ever becoming a reality.

"And so far, they have been completely indifferent to the protests of the international community. But the Palestinians – like Israel – have a right to their own land. They have the right to life, freedom and personal security."

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."

ISRAEL'S HOSTAGES AND MISSING FAMILIES FORUM:

"Two years ago, on October 7th, 2023, our lives changed forever. Terrorists invaded our communities, parties, and bases, murdering, raping, injuring, and kidnapping hundreds of innocent people. 48 of our loved ones are still there, held captive.

"For us, and for the people of Israel who have taken to the streets week after week for two years, each of these 48 souls is a world unto themselves. Every single one of them must come home. The living need rehabilitation, and the deceased deserve burial in their homeland.

"We are profoundly grateful to President Trump for his unwavering dedication and leadership. His deal gives us renewed hope that this nightmare may finally end and our loved ones will come home."

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."

ZOHAR AVIGDORI, ISRAELI CITIZEN WHOSE SISTER AND NIECE WERE KIDNAPPED THEN RELEASED, AT A PROTEST:

"Today marks two years to our personal catastrophe, as well as the national catastrophe that hasn't ended. The war still goes on, and above all, we have 48 hostages who are still waiting to come home to their families and to Israel.

"There was a recommendation by the Hostages Families Forum for President Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. We think that as far as our opinion concerns anyone, Trump deserves to receive this prize for his efforts to bring home the hostages."

ORIT BARON, ISRAELI WHOSE DAUGHTER YUVAL WAS KILLED WITH HER FIANCE MOSHE SHUVA, AT MUSIC FESTIVAL ATTACKED BY HAMAS:

"They were supposed to get married on February the 14th, Valentine’s Day ... They are buried next to each other because they were never separated. Nothing else can be complete because she's my heart and they took it from me. I can never be happy or complete ever again."

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