Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday, marking the second anniversary of the October 7 attack and calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to finalize a deal in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum emphasized the urgency: “We are in decisive days for an agreement. This is the moment when all of Israel must stand together and demand loudly that everything possible be done to bring our brothers and sisters home.”
Families of hostages express cautious optimism
Relatives of those still held in Gaza voiced hope that the latest ceasefire proposal would bring results.
- “We went to sleep yesterday with cautious optimism after months of deadlock,” said Ruby Chen, father of slain hostage Itay Chen (19).
- “I feel hopeful and expectant, but also afraid something will go wrong in the negotiations,” added Viki Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen (21).
Many protesters carried banners, including one reading “Now or Never.” Demonstrators chanted that the deal had been “on the table all along.”
International pressure on Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump has urged Netanyahu to halt the bombings in Gaza after Hamas accepted key elements of the American ceasefire proposal, which includes the release of 48 hostages still held in Gaza—20 of whom are believed to be alive.
With negotiations at a critical stage, a possible end to the Gaza war now appears closer than ever.
