Nearly 500,000 Israelis rally for the release of the hostages in Tel Aviv
Nearly half a million Israelis gathered in Hostages Square and the surrounding streets of Tel Aviv on Sunday, demanding the immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip and a comprehensive deal to end the war.
The mass rally followed a day of nationwide strikes and road blockages, with businesses across the country shuttered in solidarity with the hostages' families. The demonstration was organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Dozens of family members of hostages spoke from the main stage, each delivering emotional pleas for government action.
'Two weeks ago, we received a sign of life from our Rom,' said Ofir Braslavski, father of Rom Braslavski. 'Rom is starving, tortured, and terrified. Jews, underweight and crying for help, are dying. My Rom has no time. The hostages – the living and the dead – have no time. Stop the war. Stop the abandonment. We are a country built on shared destiny and mutual responsibility – we are a country that sanctifies life.'
Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan Zangauker, echoed the urgency. 'My heart is burning for my Matan. We and an entire nation are making noise for you – for all the hostages. We demand a comprehensive and immediate deal and an end to the war. We'll keep demanding until we get our children back.'
Lishay Miran-Lavi, wife of Omri Miran, addressed her appeal to the Israeli public and international leaders. 'Every action today is a lifeline – for the hostages, for the families, and for our people. President Trump, the Israeli public wants them home. The world wants them home. Please make it happen. Seal the deal.'
Elad Or, brother of the late Dror Or – murdered in Be'eri alongside his wife Yonat – shared his grief. 'Three of my kidnapped nephews were released in the 2023 deal. Israelis rose with us this morning and proved this is not just another day. The strike brought the truth to light: Israelis want the hostages home and oppose the plan to occupy Gaza. Enough already.'
Nadav Rudaeff, son of Lior Rudaeff – who was kidnapped and whose body remains in Gaza – stressed the urgency of saving those still alive. 'What's most urgent is getting the surviving hostages out of the hell of Gaza. Their time is running out.'
Hana Cohen, aunt of Inbar Hayman, who was murdered while in captivity, called for her niece's return. 'Your mother is waiting to hug the coffin where you'll rest in peace. Inbar is a third-generation Holocaust survivor. Her great-grandfather is buried in a mass grave in Romania – and his great-granddaughter is buried in Gaza. Does this sound logical? Save our girl and all the hostages.'
Macabit Mayer, aunt of Gali and Ziv Berman, highlighted the nationwide solidarity. 'Since early morning, we've received videos from across the country showing people taking action. This is what 'all Israel are brothers' means – millions of people who see Gali and Ziv as their own family. I hope the hostages see these images in the tunnels. May it give them strength to hold on.'
At the end of the rally, the Hostages Families Forum notified that: "Israel on Hold" events organized by the Hostages Families Forum have concluded
Throughout the day, over one million people participated in hundreds of actions held across the country, the forum said.
The hostage families concluded by wishing to tell the people of Israel: "Thank you! From here, we will only intensify our efforts. Stay with us until the last hostage is returned!"
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