As New Yorkers gathered across the city to memorialize the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, the day also served as a political backdrop to the New York City mayor’s race.

The attacks in Israel and its ensuing war in Gaza have affected the race, with other candidates frequently criticizing Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee and the front-runner, over his staunch criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and its military campaign.

On Tuesday, Mr. Mamdani issued a statement that condemned both the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust and the subsequent invasion that has devastated Gaza.

“Two years ago today, Hamas carried out a horrific war crime,” Mr. Mamdani said, calling for the return of the Israeli hostages still held captive.

Mr. Mamdani then criticized Israel for waging a “genocidal war” that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians. He attacked the American government for being “complicit” and reiterated his view that Israel’s “occupation and apartheid” in Gaza “must end.”

As Election Day draws near, Mr. Mamdani’s statement reflected his increasingly careful navigation of the politics around the ongoing war in Gaza, a divisive conflict that his political rivals have sought to put at the center of the mayoral race by suggesting he would insufficiently protect Jewish New Yorkers.