Israel is committed to the release of the hostages, gov’t point man Hirsch vows to hostage families

Ahead of the start of what is meant to be a final session of negotiations between Hamas and Israel before a ceasefire deal on Monday, hostage organizations rallied in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and even in New York to support a deal.

Israel’s hostage point man, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch confirmed in a message to the families that the government had sent a negotiation team to Egypt, while stressing the government remains committed to the release of all hostages.

“The Prime Minister has instructed us to set out tomorrow and begin the negotiation talks in Sharm el-Sheikh,” Hirsch said.

“As in the past, I will do my utmost to stay in contact with you from there as well, as much as possible. Tomorrow we set out for negotiations to bring back all our loved ones who are held hostage – both the living and the fallen – with commitment and determination,” Hirsch wrote in his message.

“Ahead of the renewal of the negotiations, this past weekend was filled with discussions and situational assessments led by the Prime Minister. A lengthy preparatory meeting with the negotiation team was also held this evening under his leadership.”

He added that intensive talks continue between the negotiation team, the Foreign Minister, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Red Cross delegation, international negotiation coordinators, and other parties.

On Sunday, Hirsch met with the head of a Red Cross delegation to prepare for the possible release of the hostages.

Hirsch reportedly appealed to him to convey the message that Hamas refrain from rapidly increasing the food for the living hostages in an effort to make them appear healthy. In past hostage releases, Hamas had carried out this cynical practice, which, after prolonged periods of starvation, can endanger the hostages’ lives.

At a rally at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Sunday, ahead of the Sukkot festival, which begins Monday evening, former hostage Sasha Trufanov spoke about the power of the high holidays, while fellow survivor Agam Berger performed the liturgical prayer “Ana b’Koach” on her violin.

“Enough, God Almighty, have mercy on your nation who are calling to you,” cried Elhanan Danino, the father of murdered hostage Ori Danino.

He stressed that those who recently marked the Yom Kippur fast had stocked refrigerators to recover their strength afterward, while the hostages have now been fasting for over 15,000 hours.

“They don’t know what date it is. They don’t know the hour. Every day is Yom Kippur for them,” Danino said. “If we can’t bring them home with ammunition, let’s use our prayers so that the living will sit in the sukkah with their families and the others will be brought to a proper burial.”

In Jerusalem, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum invited the public to gather at the “Save Them!” sukkah (tabernacle) near the Prime Minister's Residence, ahead of Sukkot Eve, calling to attend a communal dinner there.  “We will not rest until the last hostage returns home,” they stated.

Meanwhile, in New York City’s Central Park, released hostage Keith Siegel spoke of the brutality he experienced in captivity, saying it “still haunts me.”

“The images of medieval torture, the echoes of suffering, they do not fade,” he added, thanking the Trump administration for its support.

Iair Horn, also a former hostage whose brother Eitan remains in captivity, reminded the crowd that this tragedy is “Israel’s story and the story of the Jewish people.”

Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law of hostage Omri Miran, declared, “This is above politics, this is the most sacred mission”.