Thousands gathered Saturday night at the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where relatives of abducted Israelis delivered emotional speeches renewing their call for their loved ones' return. Chants were heard, demanding the immediate return of all hostages in one coordinated release.
Among them was Doron Steinbrecher, recently released from Hamas captivity, along with family members hostages, murder victims, and soldiers who were abducted or killed during the fighting. Hundreds attended the rally,
Photo: Alon Gilboa
Doron Steinbrecher, a survivor of Hamas captivity, said:
"I was here. I was here in my dreams, while in captivity. I came here in the middle of the night, a week and a half after I returned, just to see it. I was here, in the square. We knew there was a square. We knew there was a place where people gathered every Saturday. That there was a group of people who knew there were hostages, who didn't just move on with their lives. Who paused for a moment."
"On Thursday, November 30, 2023, they told me I was going home. But a few hours later, they said it wouldn't be in the next few hours, but rather the next day, December 1. I didn't sleep all night from the excitement of going home. Sadly, the morning began with explosions – and with them, the realization that I wasn't going home. You wake up to explosions, and that's the message: 'You're not going home.' And you have no idea when you will. Last Tuesday, March 18, I didn't wake up to explosions. I woke up to WhatsApp messages – some wishing me happy birthday, others updating me on what happened overnight. The fighting had resumed. Hostages weren't coming home," she said.
She continued:
"On October 7, I was abducted from my bed under gunfire, from the Young Neighborhood in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. They entered my room and shot – so many shots. They dragged me from my bed. My sheet is full of bullet holes. It's a miracle I survived. A miracle I came back. A miracle I came back alive. The place I grew up, once filled with laughter, joy, and music – now stands like a memorial. Many of my friends were murdered there. Amit and Emily made it back. Alon and Yotam were killed in captivity by our own forces. Gali and Ziv are still being held."
More from Doron:
"People see me now and ask if I'm okay. I answer with a small smile and a tilt of the head. But I'm not okay. I come here because it's the right thing to do. Because the public needs to understand that this is the only thing that matters. Because it can't fall off the headlines. Because the families and friends can't be left alone. And because I promised myself to always ask, what needs to be done – that this is the most important mission. And I'm in. Doing what's needed. Traveling. Speaking. Acting. Not giving up."
"I carry fears and pain – but not the kind you think. I fear they won't return home. I ache for entire families. I fear for the hostages still there. I ache for them. I'm angry at those who think it's okay to go back to fighting. Where are you? How are you not listening to us? How?? Even there, there are many fears. The fear of being forgotten. The fear people will learn to live with the war. That they'll learn to live with us not being here. That there are hostages. That this will become normal. The way to deal with fear, both here and there – is knowing there are people. Knowing there's you!! That the Israeli public doesn't leave us alone. And you are incredible – attentive and compassionate."
"But it's not enough. The experience there, after so long – it's that they gave up on you. And that's a pain that can't be put into words. And I'm not political. As Eli Sharabi said – this isn't left or right. It's straight. And still, I feel anger, rage, pain, fear. We can't give up on them. Simply can't. And we say – we, the hostages who returned – we can't begin healing until everyone is here. But the country can't begin healing either. Society, communities, bereaved families, soldiers, civilians, the wounded – all of them. Israeli society, hurting and broken, will not begin its new path, its recovery, its rebuilding – until all the hostages, both alive and the fallen, are here. I dreamed of standing here and shouting – 'Bring everyone home, now!' But no, I don't want that dream to come true. I wasn't supposed to fulfill that dream. Everyone – simply must be here now. Everyone. All at once. Now!"
Noam Idan Ben Ezra, sister of the late Tsachi Idan:
"I am Tsachi Idan. On October 7, Hamas terrorists broke into my home and murdered my eldest daughter Maayan. Then they took me and my family out of the safe room, and I left Maayan in her final breaths, alone. My house became a base for the terrorists. Throughout the hours, I begged them to check on Maayan, but each time they refused. At 1:30 p.m., I was abducted to Gaza, tied up before my family's eyes. I went without resistance to save my wife and children, believing my country would do everything to bring me back. How wrong I was."
She continued:
"Hello again, I'm Noam, Tsachi's sister. I'm here tonight because Tzachi isn't. Surviving monsters and then being abandoned – it was too much for him. I'm here tonight to deliver a clear message to the country's leadership. This is a matter of life and death for the hostages and their families. This is about the Israeli spirit. This is about our future and the character of our country. And we will not give up on any of them. Am Yisrael Chai."
Orna and Ronen Neutra, parents of abducted soldier Omer Neutra (killed in captivity):
"Since October 7, we've been active on the American front, working to engage the US administration to secure the hostages' release. The vast majority, both here in Israel and in the US, recognize the urgency of bringing them home – but the prime minister has different priorities. Just this week, he fired the head of the Shin Bet, claiming he'd lost trust in him – but the truth is, most of the people have lost trust in this government. They don't believe in its path, its intentions, or its abilities. And the people – you can't fire them!"
