With no ceasefire agreement in sight, hundreds of people, including former Israeli hostages and parents of those still being held, gathered in Central Park on Sunday to call on Hamas to release the remaining prisoners.
At the “Bring them home now” rally, protesters demanded the release of up to 100 hostages being held by Hamas, including seven American-Israelis.
Former hostage Moran Stella Yanai, 41, said her heart broke for those still trapped in Gaza, many of whom, like her, had been enjoying the Nova music festival that Hamas attacked on October 7.
“That morning at 6:29 [a.m.]”This freedom has turned into hell on earth,” she recalled, fighting back tears.
“The state of Israel and the Jewish people cannot begin to heal until we bring all our loved ones home,” Yanai added.
Yanai, one of the hostages released in November, attended the rally along with Nitsa and Gilad Korngold, the parents of Tal Shoham, a father of two who is still being held captive.
Yanai said her and Shoham's parents have become like family, as have the rest of the relatives of those held captive in Gaza.
“My brothers and sisters are suffering from pain, hunger, thirst, but above all they are scared,” Yanai said, describing the situation she experienced firsthand.
Former hostages said they still had hope that the remaining hostages would be released, but the latest demands from Hamas risk derailing negotiations.
As a first step towards a ceasefire, the terrorist group is currently demanding that Israel release Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences for murder in exchange for civilian hostages. The Washington Post.
The media said authorities had called the prospect of releasing 150 people convicted of murder a “poison pill” to already troubled peace talks, with the new demands putting the deal on hold.
Israel discovered the bodies of six hostages last week, but questions remain about how many of the roughly 100 hostages in the Gaza Strip are still alive, stalling negotiations.
After confirming the deaths of six hostages, including Israeli-American suspect Hersh Goldbar Pollin, 23, Israeli authorities said they believed at least 64 hostages were still alive.
Goldberg Pollin was one of eight Israeli-Americans reportedly being held by Hamas.
Authorities have so far confirmed the deaths of Judith Weinstein Hagai, Gadi Hagai and Itai Chen.
The remaining American-Israelis trapped in Gaza have been identified as Edan Alexander, Omer Neutra, Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel Chen.
