TEL AVIV: US envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned Israeli hostages held in Gaza had been coming house, in a message directed on the captives at a rally Saturday, as a ceasefire took hold in the Palestinian territory.
“To the hostages themselves: you’re coming house,” Witkoff mentioned, prompting applause and cheers from hundreds gathered on the Tel Aviv plaza often called Hostages’ Sq..
Addressing the households of the hostages, he added: “Your braveness has moved the world.”
735 DAYS HAMAS TOOK HOSTAGES
Tens of hundreds of Israelis gathered beneath a display screen in Tel Aviv, marking 735 days since Hamas took hostages to Gaza, lastly daring to hope a ceasefire will herald an finish to their ordeal.
“My feelings are immense, there aren’t any phrases to explain them – for me, for us, for all of Israel, which desires the hostages house and waits to see all of them return,” mentioned Einav Zangauker, mom of 25-year-old hostage Matan Zangauker.
“We lastly really feel hope, however we can’t and won’t cease now,” added Zairo Shachar Mohr Munder.
The physique of his uncle, Abraham Munder – kidnapped on October 7, 2023, throughout Hamas’s unprecedented assault on Israel by air, sea, and land – was recovered by the Israeli military in Gaza in August.
“All hostages should come house — the dwelling and the lifeless,” he mentioned throughout the rally, organised by households of the captives.
At Tel Aviv’s central “Hostage Sq.”, many within the crowd wore T-shirts bearing the faces of these nonetheless held in Gaza and who might be launched Monday.
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire settlement on Friday, brokered by US President Donald Trump, marking a significant step towards ending two years of devastating battle within the Palestinian territory.
Beneath the deal, Hamas has till midday on Monday at hand over 47 remaining Israeli hostages – dwelling and lifeless – from the 251 kidnapped two years in the past.
The stays of another hostage, held in Gaza since 2014, are additionally anticipated to be returned. In alternate for his or her launch, Israel is to free a whole bunch of prisoners.
THANK YOU TRUMP
“Donald Trump! You have got made historical past,” declared Efrat Machikawa, niece of Gadi Moses, who was freed after 482 days in captivity, drawing applause from the group.
“You stood by our aspect, by our households’ sides, after we wanted it most. You confirmed our nation and all the world what true dedication seems like. Now it’s time to complete what we began!” she mentioned.
A number of American flags waved amongst Israeli ones within the sq..
Maia Kampeas, holding a big American flag, mentioned she felt a way of deep emotion and gratitude towards the US chief.
“We’re very grateful to Donald Trump for his help and power,” she instructed AFP.
Two earlier truces in November 2023 and early 2025 additionally led to the discharge of hostages and our bodies of captives in alternate for Palestinian prisoners, earlier than they collapsed in additional combating.
Additional rounds of negotiations are anticipated to comply with to implement the Trump peace plan, geared toward reaching lasting stability.
“Within the brief time period, we’ll see the hostages coming house,” mentioned Maor. “However I stay deeply involved in regards to the state of affairs on this area.”
