A massive demonstration took place in Tel Aviv on Saturday, marking 50 days since the Hamas attack on Israel and demanding the release of all captives held by the Palestinian group. An estimated 100,000 people gathered at what has become known as ‘Hostages Square,’ near the Ministry of Defence, to show their support and solidarity. The event also coincided with the second day of a truce between Hamas and Israel.
The rally was organized by friends and family of the captives, along with numerous supporters. They expressed their cautious optimism as they waited for news regarding the release of the second group of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The release had been delayed by Hamas, who accused Israel of violating the truce. However, through Qatari-Egyptian mediation, the obstacles were overcome, and it was announced that the exchange would likely take place on Saturday night.
Sara Khairat, reporting from Tel Aviv, stated that this was the largest demonstration since the war began. She highlighted the release of captives the previous day as a contributing factor that brought people together to spread a message of hope. The demonstrators vowed to continue rallying until all captives were brought back from Gaza.
The event also marked 50 days since the October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which approximately 1,200 people were reported to have died by Israeli officials. However, the Israeli aerial and ground assault on Gaza has since resulted in the deaths of over 15,000 Palestinians, including more than 6,000 children.
During the demonstration, singer Ehud Banai addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of returning hostages. Many attendees wore “Bring Them Home” campaign T-shirts and held placards displaying the names and pictures of the captives. Alon Hadar, whose grandmother was released by Hamas on Friday, expressed hope for the return of all captives and acknowledged the need to fight for their release.
The rally in Tel Aviv also served as a platform for Israelis to voice their frustration and put pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent weeks, urging the government to prioritize the safe return of their loved ones. Community leaders from the Druze community were warmly welcomed and received enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
In addition to the demonstration in Tel Aviv, protestors gathered outside one of Netanyahu’s private residences in Jerusalem, demanding his immediate removal from office. The calls for his ouster reflect the growing discontent among the public regarding the government’s handling of the hostage situation.
As the rally concluded, the atmosphere remained one of determination and unity. The Israeli people made it clear that they will not rest until all captives are safely returned home.
