Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square filled with a massive crowd last night for a heartfelt rally. The gathering aimed to send a clear message: everyone in the city hopes this will be the final protest of its kind, as Israel and the international community work to secure the release of all hostages and a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
At the heart of the march were everyday people who have been living under the shadow of the war by the Yom Kippur War, the 2006 Lebanon conflict, and more recent hostilities. “Everyone is waiting for the hostages to come home,” said Nurit, a woman in her 70s who grew up during the Six‑Day War. “The whole city feels like it has lost a part of itself.” She recalled how the square used to be a hub of music, exhibitions, and lively discussion, but now it’s a place of quiet hope and solidarity.
Nurit and others gathered on Saturday evenings not just for themselves, but for the families of the detainees. “When we show up, it reminds the families that they are not alone,” she said. “A small act of support can mean the world to someone who’s waiting for their loved one to return.” Her message echoed from all corners of the square, from teenagers who found their voices on the spot to older residents who have stood by the 1,000‑plus years of community history.
One of the older participants, Dalit, in her fifties, added that her fear of sudden change stays at the back of her mind, even while she keeps her hope alive. “I live in a tough neighbourhood,” she explained. “When anything swings our way, I can see what it might feel like to my own family if their loved one is somewhere I can’t see them.” Her words conveyed the raw anxiety felt by dozens of people who have watched loved ones captured in the conflict.
The younger generation brought a different energy. Youths were initially shy but loosened up as they spoke about the power of collective prayers and messages. Shua, one of the teens in the crowd, declared firmly, “We have to make it work; we must make it work.” Another participant, Tomrin, admitted she is unsure of what she feels, but she still tries to keep her hopes alive. “I don’t want to get my hopes up too hard,” she said, “but I also need to keep believing we will get a resolution soon.”
Like many others, Ofek emerged from a moment of almost complete despair. “I felt hope slipping away after one year,” he said, “but the news that a deal is close gave me a new chance to believe.”
The rally was a clear sign that no matter the political twists and turns, the people of Tel Aviv want their hostages home. As Israel works to keep the fighting in Gaza from escalating further, residents remain hopeful that the hostages will return to everyday life and that peace can finally emerge from the conflict. Their voices, amplified through a simple act so collective, carry the same urgency found in clinics, streets, and the international media’s lenses.
The Tel Aviv community presses on with faith and compassion as they continue to call for a swift end to the Gaza war and the safe homecoming of all detainees.
Source: aninews
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