Tens of Thousands Rally in Tel Aviv to Mark 666 Days in Captivity for Hostages Held by Hamas

Tens of thousands of people gathered at Kidnapped Square in Tel Aviv to mark 666 days since Israeli hostages were taken captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The rally took place amid growing public outrage and deep emotional pain following the release of shocking footage of captive Eviatar David, seen digging his own grave and documenting severe starvation and physical deterioration.

The footage, released by Hamas and dated July 27, shows David detailing days without food on a calendar and directly pleading with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his release. At the end of the video, Hamas operatives are seen forcing him to dig a grave inside the tunnel where he is held. David says he fears he may die at any moment.

David Family Pleads for International Intervention

Yaela and Elie David, Eviatar’s siblings, opened the rally with an emotional appeal:

“Last night, we saw our brother deliberately and cynically starved in a prison in Gaza. Hamas used our Eviatar as a living experiment in a disgusting hunger campaign.”

The family called on Israel, world leaders, and U.S. President Joe Biden to intervene immediately to ensure medical treatment and food are delivered to the hostages.

“The Israeli and Jewish voice must echo this to all corners of the world. Never again – this is the day,” Yaela added.

She ended with a personal message to Eviatar:

“Mom is broken. Dad can’t sleep. But Eli and I are holding on, waiting for you. You will return to yourself. I promise you, my brother.”

Rom Breslavsky's Father: "My Child Is Dying 

Ofir Breslavsky, father of abducted Rom Breslavsky, who appeared in another Hamas video released just a day earlier, also addressed the crowd. Rom, 21, was taken hostage after saving dozens of lives during the massacre at the Nova music festival.

“Rom is a hero. And his country abandoned him. For 666 days now. Two days ago, we saw the price of that abandonment. He is hungry, broken, and mentally shattered. My child is dying, and I saw it with my own eyes,” said Ofir.

Turning to Prime Minister Netanyahu, he demanded:

“Make the decision now: End the war and bring everyone home – the hostages, the soldiers, the displaced. No tricks, no excuses, just bring them home.”

Omer Wenkert: “What We Saw Is Not Called Life”

Omer Wenkert, who was released after 505 days in Hamas captivity, gave a powerful testimony from the stage, expressing rage at the framing of the Eviatar video as a “sign of life.”

“Really? You dare call this a sign of life? I lived in that tunnel. I know that darkness. I saw my brothers Guy, Tal, and Eviatar waste away. And now I saw it again in his eyes – he didn’t need to speak; his eyes screamed save me.”

Wenkert concluded with a heart-wrenching plea:

“Reach out to Eviatar’s beautiful and amazing soul. To all our kidnapped. Please give me 50 more heartbeats so that my heart can start beating again. Bring them all home – now.”

Mounting Pressure on the Israeli Government

The rally in Tel Aviv reflects growing national frustration over the government's handling of hostage negotiations and its apparent inability to secure a deal to return those still held in Gaza. The release of disturbing videos by Hamas and Islamic Jihad appears to be a coordinated attempt to increase psychological pressure on the Israeli public and leadership.

While official responses remain cautious, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum continues to call for renewed negotiations and immediate humanitarian intervention, stressing that time is running out for many of the captives.