Families of hostages walk for third day on march to Jerusalem

Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

Families of the hostages held by terror groups in Gaza, along with hundreds of supporters, seen marching toward Jerusalem on November 16, 2023(Courtesy Gilad Pirset )
Families of the hostages held by terror groups in Gaza, along with hundreds of supporters, seen marching toward Jerusalem on November 16, 2023(Courtesy Gilad Pirset )

Family members of those missing and held captive in Gaza walk alongside hundreds of Israelis on the third day of their march from Tel Aviv to the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, which they plan to reach on Saturday afternoon.

Part of Thursday’s march includes paying a shiva call to the Marciano family in Modi’in, which is mourning the loss of their soldier daughter Noa Marciano, who died in Hamas captivity.

Representatives of the families say they are asking members of the government’s war cabinet to meet them on the road.

“We are walking 37 kilometers and the war cabinet hasn’t even picked up the phone to set a time to meet us,” says Merav Leshem Ronen, mother of Romi Gonen, held captive by Hamas.

”We asked them to meet us,” says Leshem Ronen. “If we can go on foot to them, they can get in cars and come to speak to us. We know they’re busy with the negotiations. Come and talk to us!”

The families will rally at the Latrun memorial site for fallen soldiers at 7 p.m.

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