At a rally in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, thousands hold up their cellphones and other lights as they sing Hatikvah, the national anthem, at a rally for the hostages.
The rally features what are probably the first expressions of joy since rallies began being held here for hostages taken to Gaza on October 7. This is because on stage on Saturday are freed hostages or relatives of those released during the weeklong truce between Hamas and Israel that ended Friday.
“When I’m done speaking to you now, I will be able to kiss and hug Erez and Sahar,” Hadas Calderon tells the thousands of people gathered. But she also recalls the uncertainty and terror of being held hostage, as related to her by her children. Her husband, Ofer, is still in Gaza and experiencing this terror, she tells the crowd.
Raz Ben-Ami, who was abducted from Be’eri on October 7, thanks the audience in a filmed message, telling them: “Thank you for giving me life.”
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From the Liveblog of
Saturday, December 2, 2023
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