Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, demanding an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Their calls intensified just one day after President Donald Trump announced that another ten hostages held by Hamas would be released “very shortly.” This rally, which attracted as many as 50,000 participants, saw demonstrators carrying Israeli and American flags while chanting, “not right-wing, not left-wing, the hostages before everything else,” in Hebrew.
During a dinner with congressional lawmakers at the White House on Friday, Trump stated, “We got most of the hostages back. We’re going to have another ten coming very shortly, and we hope to have that finished quickly.” However, he did not provide further details on the timing or nature of the release.
One of the families represented at the rally was that of Einav Zanguaker, whose son Matan is currently held in Gaza. She echoed Trump’s sentiments, urging Israel to “abandon the madness of eternal war.” Zanguaker called for collaboration with the US to implement Trump’s vision for ending the conflict and securing the release of all hostages.
The atmosphere at the rally was charged with emotion and urgency. Nadav Rudaeff, whose father Lior Rudaeff was killed during the conflict on October 7, 2023, appealed directly to Trump: “Please use your power to make sure this deal will be made and don’t let this opportunity pass. End the suffering. Bring all hostages home now.” Reports indicate that approximately 50 Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity, with about 20 confirmed alive and 30 believed to be deceased.
Ongoing negotiations between Israeli and Hamas delegations in Qatar have sought to establish a US-backed proposal for a 60-day cease-fire, though an agreement has yet to be reached. The discussions, which began on July 6, have faced significant challenges. Hamas has indicated that failure to secure a temporary deal in this round of talks could lead to only permanent cease-fire discussions in the future.
In a recent televised address, a spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, Abu Ubaida, cautioned that if negotiations fail this time, there would be no guarantees for future agreements, stating, “If the enemy remains obstinate and evades this round as it has done every time before, we cannot guarantee a return to partial deals or the proposal of the ten captives.”
The latest proposal includes the return of ten Israeli hostages by Hamas along with the bodies of 18 others over the course of the proposed cease-fire. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners, though the exact figures are still under discussion. Central to the negotiations are the conditions regarding Israeli military withdrawals from Gaza, which remain a major sticking point.
During the rally, former hostage Doron Steinbrecher, who was released by Hamas in January, addressed the crowd in English, appealing directly to Trump. “We have met and spoken, I know how personally important this is to you, how deeply you are involved, and I know what you are capable of,” she said. Steinbrecher urged both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to finalize a deal, stating, “Make it happen. Let everyone emerge through the gates of hell so that we may rise. Close the deal, so that we could make Israel great again!”
As the situation remains fluid, the families of hostages continue to advocate for swift action to end the conflict and ensure the safe return of their loved ones. The rally in Tel Aviv underscores the intense emotions surrounding this issue and the pressing desire for peace and resolution.
