Survivors and relatives of hostages in Gaza deliver heart-wrenching testimonies, urging President Trump to broker a deal before expanded fighting seals their fate.
Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square became the epicenter of anguish and defiance on Saturday night, as over 100,000 people gathered alongside families of captives to oppose the government’s plan to expand the fighting in Gaza. The move, intended to pressure Hamas, has instead fueled fears that it could doom the lives of those still held underground.
Hamas captivity survivor Eliya Cohen spoke through tears, recalling the haunting images of current hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David:
“I saw myself in them — tied up, starving, clinging to a fragile hope. After the cameras stopped, I know the darkness that followed.”
Cohen, freed after 505 days in captivity, directly appealed to President Donald Trump:
“You brought me home. Please, bring them all home. Alon Ohel is still there, wounded. I promised him, ‘Until we meet again in Israel, this isn’t over.’”
Ilana Gritzewsky, girlfriend of hostage Matan Zangauker, said her partner has been in “hell” for over 670 days:
“We’ve all seen what hell looks like — starved, broken, tortured. More fighting puts them in greater danger. Time is running out.”
Sharon Cunio, whose husband David remains in captivity, asked chilling questions:
“How much does he weigh now? Has he eaten? Did they ask him to dig his own grave?”
Lishay Miran Lavi, wife of hostage Omri Miran, warned that the new military push could be a death sentence:
“Every invasion, every bullet, every airstrike could cost him his life. This isn’t just military strategy — it’s personal.”
Nira Sharabi, widow of murdered hostage Yossi Sharabi, recounted the moment her husband’s life ended:
“He could have been saved. Instead, he was killed by an Air Force missile where he was held. No woman should experience this.”
One by one, the speakers made their plea clear: stop the war, seal a deal, and bring them home alive.
