Marking a year and a half since the October 7 massacre, families of hostages and activists launched protests on Monday morning at more than 10 locations across Israel. Demonstrators gathered outside the homes of government ministers and coalition officials—including the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem—demanding the immediate return of all hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The protest began at 6:29 a.m., the exact time the massacre started 18 months ago, with the reading of the names of the 59 hostages who have yet to return home. Near the prime minister’s residence, a prayer was held, and recordings of testimonies from former hostages were played. Families called on the government to show political courage and swiftly reach a deal that would bring the living hostages home for rehabilitation and allow the deceased to be buried in Israel.
Erez Eder, uncle of the murdered hostage Tamir Eder, voiced deep despair and growing anger: “I’m here today because we’re at a dead end. Fifty-nine people are in hell, and there’s no end in sight,” he said. “They should be Israel’s top priority, but they’ve been pushed aside. We’re furious. We’re calling on the prime minister—hostages first. This is the most important issue on the agenda. Everyone must be brought back—the living for recovery, the dead for burial—so there can be a chance for a better future.”
Varda Ben Baruch, grandmother of hostage Edan Alexander, spoke of rejection and pain: “A year and a half since October 7, and it feels like bringing our loved ones back has been sidelined. We’re standing here at the prime minister’s house saying—‘In every generation, a person must see himself as if he came out of Egypt.’ We say that in the Passover Haggadah. Now it’s your moment of truth. You're in the United States—you need to sit with President Trump and close a deal,” she said.
In the first phase of a ceasefire achieved between Israel and Hamas earlier this year, 33 hostages were released. The next phases of the ceasefire were supposed to involve Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and the return of all the hostages, but Israel has committed to using military force to wipe out Hamas instead of entering into the continued phases.
Many of the hostage families warn that continued military pressure will endanger the lives of the hostages.
Gil Dickmann, cousin of Carmel Gat, who was murdered in captivity, noted that 41 hostages have been killed in captivity.
“We hear the defense minister say, ‘From our perspective, we’re not endangering the hostages.’ Defense Minister [Israel] Katz—we’re living proof of the danger they face,” he said. “The living and the dead will be lost if you don’t act now. Enough of this nightmare.”
