MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Tuesday marks two years since the Hamas attack in Israel that killed nearly 1,200 people and left hundreds more held hostage.

Events were held around the world to remember the victims, including a somber ceremony in Miami Beach.

The ceremony at Miami Beach Fire Station No. 2 included moments of reverence and reflection, as attendees remembered the 1,200 people killed and 250 abducted during the attack.

“The biggest fear was obviously the rocket’s flying overhead,” said Capt. Adonis Garcia of the Miami Beach Fire Department.

Garcia, one of eight Miami Beach firefighters who spent two weeks in Israel volunteering for first responders, described the experience to Local 10 News as life-changing.

“It was an awakening. We took tour and saw a couple firefighters that were killed,” Garcia said. “Shot rockets at me … That’s who brought it all back.”

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner spoke of cautious optimism regarding ongoing peace efforts.

“I’m hopeful,” Meiner said. “It seems like it’s heading in the right direction, but I think from everything I hear, it’s in Hamas’s corner …. as it always been, this war could have been over on October 8th.”

Meiner also referenced portions of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for peace, which calls for all hostages to be released within three days.

“I’m praying my eyes out,” he said. “This is something that everyone should be pushing for. Not just the people of Israel, but every nation, every Arab nation, Europe …. We need the hostages home… There are 25 living hostages."

The Miami Beach ceremony reflected the community’s support for victims of the attack and their families, as well as for ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages.

Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.