Thousands rally in Jerusalem for hostages’ return

Six months after the October 7 attacks, the fate of those held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been remembered by former abductees and relatives of the remaining abductees.

An association of family members organizing the march reported that around 50,000 people attended the rally in Jerusalem demanding the release of the hostages.

At the start of the event, a number of the women’s sisters who are still being held hostage appeared on stage dressed in attire similar to what the women had worn on October 7, the day the Palestinian militant group Hamas led a surprise attack on Israel that started the present conflict.

A few of them put crimson paint on their clothing or arms to represent blood, and others taped their lips shut to symbolise the hostages’ incapacity to speak.

Lishay Lavi Miran, the wife of Omri Miran, who was abducted, sobbed, “I am addressing the prime minister and the security cabinet from here: More reluctance and indecision means more hostages will return to us in coffins.”

“I beg you: Do not return from the negotiations without a deal that includes my Omri and the other men.”

“I came here to demand that someone takes real responsibility for returning all our loved ones, someone who will save us from this hell, someone who will give us hope instead of hatred and fear, someone who will unite the people from division and fragmentation,” declared Yehuda Cohen, the father of one of the hostages.

The hostages’ relatives recalled the last six months of festivities—festivals they had to enjoy alone, without their loved ones.

Now, they looked forward to returning for the Passover seder meal, one of the most significant Jewish holidays observed this year from April 22 to April 30.

Approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 250 others were kidnapped into Gaza on October 7 amid attacks spearheaded by Hamas militants.

In response, Israel launched a huge bombing and ground offensive that, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which is administered by Hamas and is largely in ruins and on the verge of famine, had killed over 33,000 people.

During a week-long ceasefire at the end of November, Hamas freed 105 hostages.

240 Palestinian prisoners were freed in return.

Israeli estimates place the number of hostages still alive close to 100.

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