Israeli hostage families call on leaders to prioritize hostage deal, halt Gaza City offensive

Families of Israeli hostages voiced their concerns at rallies across Israel on Saturday night, with thousands urging the government to accept the deal Hamas agreed to weeks ago. A day earlier, the IDF and Shin Bet announced they had recovered the body of hostage Ilan Weiss and the remains of another, identified on Saturday as Idan Shtivi. Both men were killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault in southern Israel.

Marking one year since six hostages were murdered by their Hamas captors as Israeli forces closed in, relatives of the captives pressed the government to abandon plans to conquer Gaza City, warning that escalating military operations only put the hostages’ lives at greater risk.

The Times of Israel reported that before the main rallies in Tel Aviv, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum declared, “As plans move forward to conquer Gaza City, a hostage deal remains stalled at the negotiating table – serving as a painful reminder of last year’s lesson: military pressure kills hostages.”

The group’s statement referred to the six hostages killed last year by Hamas gunmen: Alexander Lobanov, Carmel Gat, Ori Danino, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, and Almog Sarusi.

According to Channel 12 News, the Security Cabinet is not expected on Sunday to address the partial ceasefire deal that Hamas accepted, even as security chiefs prepare to push jointly in favor of the agreement.

Under the deal, 10 hostages would be freed and the bodies of 18 others returned over a 60-day pause in fighting, a period intended for negotiations on the release of the remaining captives and a lasting end to the war.

The Hostages Families Forum said it was “further proof” that the government “is turning to perpetual war and sacrificing the hostages, completely against the will of the people.”

Itzik Horn, father of hostage Eitan Horn, accused the government of being “deranged” and recklessly endangering and gambling with the lives of his son and the other captives.

“While my son is fighting for his life in captivity, and an entire country is fighting to get him out, the government intends to occupy the Strip and gamble on his life and the lives of the living hostages, to make the dead disappear forever, and also gamble on our heroic soldiers,” Horn said ahead of the mass rally for the hostages.

He went on to charge that “sitting in the government and cabinet are a bunch of deranged people that every citizen of Israel needs to ask whether these people are worthy of making decisions about their fate. They don’t want them back, and they don’t deserve to lead us.”

Known for her sharp words toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said she would hold him personally responsible “if her son ends up being killed in Gaza and would try to have him charged with murder.”

“If Matan comes back in a body bag, it won’t only be Matan and me who pay the price,” she told Netanyahu. “I will personally ensure that you face charges of premeditated murder.”

Gil Dickmann – family member of slain hostage, Carmel Gat – spoke before thousands at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv and urged U.S. President Donald Trump to “end this war now.”

“My cousin Carmel Gat was murdered in captivity one year ago; you weren’t president then, you weren’t there to save her. If you had been president then, maybe she’d be alive here today,” said Dickmann, a dual Israeli-American citizen.

“Don’t let Bibi fool you like he fooled President Biden, save these hostages, Mr. President, like you saved so many others,” he said, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “President Trump, end this war now!”

A huge banner visible from the sky, reading “Trump, make history,” was unveiled by protesters at the event.
Tuval Haim, brother of the late hostage Yotam Haim – who was accidentally killed by IDF troops in Gaza in December 2023 – also addressed the crowd at Hostages Square, saying that the ongoing suffering of those still held captive reflected “our failure as a state.”

He said photos of the hostages were circulated to IDF soldiers in Gaza only following the accidental shooting of his brother and fellow captives Alon Shamriz and Samar Talalka.

“They promised us that Yotam would come back, they said they knew where he was, they said he was on his way home,” he cried.

“Today is my birthday, the second birthday in which I don’t get a hug and a blessing from Yotam,” he lamented. “What I wish for myself is that no one will ever have to go through what I went through, that they will get their siblings back so that they can sing with them.”

In Jerusalem, hundreds of protesters marched toward the U.S. Embassy, carrying signs urging Trump to pressure Israel to agree to a ceasefire.

Demonstrators also gathered near Netanyahu’s residence, blocking roads and clashing with police.

The Times of Israel reported that the homes and offices of Netanyahu and other senior officials are expected to be the focus of upcoming protests organized by the Hostages Families Forum, as they seek to directly appeal to decision-makers and push for a negotiated deal.

The latest reports indicate that terrorist groups in Gaza are holding 48 hostages, including 47 of the 251 abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. The group includes at least 26 confirmed dead, 20 believed alive, and two whose condition is a serious concern, Israeli officials say. Hamas is also holding the body of IDF soldier Hadar Goldin, killed and abducted into Gaza during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.