World calls for Israeli hostages' release two years after October 7

- UN chief: 'Choose hope' -

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was repeating his previous appeals "with even greater urgency: Release the hostages, unconditionally and immediately."

"End the suffering for all... Put an end to the hostilities in Gaza, Israel and the region now. Stop making civilians pay with their lives and their futures.

"After two years of trauma, we must choose hope. Now."

- Israel: 'Dismantle Hamas' -

"Two years ago, Israel faced the darkest day in its history... we pray for the return of the hostages still held in Gaza, and we stand united against terror," Israel's foreign ministry said.

"Hamas must be dismantled to end this war," the ministry said on X.

"Light will rise over darkness."

- UK: Pro-Palestinian protests 'disrespectful' -

Besides calling for the hostages' release, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested pro-Palestinian protests planned for the anniversary of "that awful day" were disrespectful.

"This is not who we are as a country," the under-fire premier wrote in The Times.

"It's un-British to have so little respect for others. And that's before some of them decide to start chanting hatred towards Jewish people all over again."

- Germany: 'New wave of antisemitism' -

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted that "all the hostages must be released immediately" and warned of a "new wave of antisemitism" in the country.

Merz said that "as part of the post-war generation that grew up with the promise of 'never again', I am deeply concerned".

"Go out and approach our Jewish citizens... show that we stand by their side and that together we will do everything possible to ensure that Jews can live here in Germany without fear."

- France: 'Never again' -

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

"Such an abomination must never happen again. Let us unite all our strength to fight antisemitism everywhere and to build peace."

- Australia: 'Never forget' -

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that "we must never forget the atrocities that were inflicted by Hamas", and also welcomed US President Donald Trump's plan to end the conflict.

"The Australian Government also stands with Jewish people around the world, who feel the cold shadow of history's darkest chapter in any act of antisemitism," he said.

- Italy: Peace opportunity-

Far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called October 7 "one of the darkest days in history".

But she also said that "today's anniversary comes at a time when there is a real possibility of ending this war".

"The peace plan presented by President Trump... offers an opportunity that must not be wasted to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities, bring home the hostages still in Hamas's hands, and begin a process toward peace and security throughout the Middle East."

- Ireland: 'Resolve the conflict' -

Irish deputy prime minister Simon Harris, who also holds the foreign affairs brief, said "a window now exists to end this unimaginable suffering, for both Israelis and Palestinians.

"To halt the violence, return the hostages to their families and get urgently needed humanitarian aid into Gaza at scale," Harris said in a statement.

-- October 7, 2023 --

The October 7 assault resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Militants also took 251 people hostage in Gaza, of whom 47 remain captive, including 25 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,160 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, figures the United Nations considers credible.

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