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About 200 University of Michigan students and community members gathered on the steps of Hatcher Graduate Library Tuesday evening for a vigil commemorating the two-year anniversary<\/a> of Hamas\u2019s attack on Israel. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack killed more than 1,200 people<\/a> and resulted in about 250 more being taken hostage. The resulting Israeli military campaign in Gaza<\/a> has killed more than 67,000 people<\/a> and was classified<\/a> as a genocide by the United Nations in September. The vigil was organized by the University\u2019s chapter of Students Supporting Israel<\/a>, and included a moment of silence and prayers for the <\/a>Oct. 7 victims and the 48 hostages<\/a> still held by Hamas.\u00a0<\/p>\n Earlier Tuesday afternoon, SSI hosted a tabling event on the Diag, displaying images of the victims of the Oct. 7th attack. At about 6 p.m., several speakers addressed the crowd from the steps of the Graduate Library. LSA senior Elijah Wiseman, SSI member, opened the vigil, saying it is important to reflect on the lasting impact of the attack.<\/p>\n \u201cWe gather not only to mourn but to bear witness, to ensure that the memory of Oct. 7 is never forgotten,\u201d Wiseman said. \u201cUsing those who are lost as a reason to bring closer those who remain is the greatest gift we can give to those who can appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n LSA sophomore Abigail Gelfand, SSI member, led a prayer for the hostages and civilians killed on Oct. 7. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Gelfand said speaking helped her show solidarity with other Jewish people and she hoped the event gave people a better understanding of the Jewish community on campus.\u00a0<\/p>\n