On Tuesday evening, in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, family members of hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza gathered for an open Q&A panel to mark the somber milestone of 200 days of separation. The event, organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, was an intimate affair where audience members posed questions to a panel of six speakers: family members of hostages, bereaved parents, internally displaced Israelis, and a survivor of the Supernova rave massacre.
Panelists shared their raw and personal experiences, discussing feelings of guilt, their hopes for the future, the challenges of staying in Israel long-term, and the impact of the prolonged captivity on their families. Their vulnerability and openness fostered a sense of unity among the audience, who actively engaged in the discussion.
Simultaneously, a group of protesters marched by the panel, their anti-government chants echoing through the streets. Speakers urged the audience to remain steadfast in their support, emphasizing the importance of presenting a united front for the hostages’ safe return.
Yamit Ashkenazi, the sister of hostage Doron Steinbrecher, lamented the dwindling attendance at Hostages Square in recent weeks, despite the continued plight of the hostages. Liron Eldor, the father of slain soldier Adi Eldor, decried the indifference toward the hostages’ fate prevalent in Israeli society. He urged the anti-government protesters to unite under one banner, arguing that disunity weakened the hostage families’ cause.
The Q&A panel culminated in a powerful performance by a group of hostage family members dressed as prisoners. They marched silently in a single file from the stage to the nearby Kirya military base, where they sat in front of the headquarters, splattered in red paint resembling blood and with their hands bound with rope. For several minutes, they cried out for help, pleading for the release of their loved ones. The audience responded with cries of support and demands for action.
The families’ unwavering determination and the outpouring of support from the audience highlighted the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to secure the hostages’ safe return.
