Emotional protest held in Kidnapped Square amid rising anger over stalled negotiations

 As government plans to escalate military operations in Gaza continue and hopes for a new hostage deal remain uncertain, hundreds of family members of the hostages gathered Saturday night in Tel Aviv’s Kidnapped Square for a central protest rally.

The emotional evening was marked by powerful speeches from relatives of those still held captive — and those who died in Hamas captivity or during escape attempts. Protesters called on the government to immediately prioritize negotiations and condemned what they described as political manipulation at the expense of human lives.

"Almost Two Years of Hell"

Liran Berman, the brother of twin hostages Gali and Ziv Berman, opened the rally with a scathing criticism of the government's inaction.

"Almost two years in which our lives have been put on hold. Almost two years in which every day is a hell of uncertainty, fear, and pain," Liran said. "And here the Prime Minister announces, in his own voice, that he is ‘facilitating’ immediate negotiations for the release of all the kidnapped — but he’s not sending a delegation. He’s approving plans to occupy Gaza City, he’s calling up tens of thousands of reservists. He talks about negotiations but sacrifices the kidnapped. He is the moderator and the torpedo."

National Day of Struggle Announced

During the rally, the Hostage Families Forum declared a National Day of Struggle to take place this coming Tuesday. The event is set to unite citizens around the causes of the kidnapped, the evacuees, and the soldiers, under the slogan: “With Israel – a people seeking life.”

Danny Elgert, whose brother Itzik was murdered in Hamas captivity and whose body was returned in a previous deal, gave a chilling speech:

"The Prime Minister said: 'They are suffering, but not dead.' Do you believe him? I’m here to tell you: it’s a lie. My brother is the proof. He suffered — and he died."

"Ask yourselves: is it reasonable that a person should die for someone else’s political survival? Occupying Gaza at the cost of the hostages’ lives is not leadership — it’s betrayal. Every day without a deal is another day Netanyahu helps Hamas achieve the goals of October 7."

"My Brother Was Already Free"

Another emotional moment came from Yonatan Shimriz, whose brother Alon was accidentally killed by IDF fire while trying to escape his captors.

“Every time I come here, my body becomes heavy. There’s a lump in my throat, my eyes water, and my head refuses to believe — how can it be that we are here, and they are still there?”

Shimriz recounted lighting Hanukkah candles in Kidnapped Square the night before Alon’s death.

“At that moment we didn’t know, but Alon was already free. He didn’t need the candle or the prayers. He made his way to the light — did the impossible. But when he was killed, along with Yotam Haim and Samer Tlaleka, something died in each and every one of us. Their deaths signaled a painful truth: The State of Israel has lost its way.”

"This Is Not Strength — This Is Cowardice"

Calling for restraint, Shimriz sharply criticized renewed military actions that could endanger the hostages.

“Anyone who calls for another military action without knowing where the kidnapped are is choosing to give them up. That’s not strength. That’s cowardice and neglect.”

“Just earlier, we saw the horrific images of Rom, Eviatar, and Matan — held in the tunnels, tortured, starving. They are crying out to us from the heart of the earth. They don’t have much time left.”