From the Liveblog of
Friday, January 30, 2026
Hostages Forum to hold its final Kabbalat Shabbat in Tel Aviv on Friday
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum will on Friday mark the first time since 2014 that there are no Israelis held captive in Gaza by holding its final weekly Kabbalat Shabbat gathering.
The Kibbutzim Movement, led by Kibbutz Nahal Oz, has held pre-Shabbat events at Hostages Square for 120 consecutive weeks, each one hosted by a different kibbutz. According to the Hostages Forum, hundreds of hostage families, former hostages and members of the public took part each week.
This week’s final Kabbalat Shabbat gathering will be led by Kibbutz Tzuba, and held Friday at 1 p.m. at Hostages Square.
Hostages Square, the plaza outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art that became a symbol of hope and solidarity for the former hostages, their families and the Israeli public, will undergo a commemoration process run by the Tel Aviv Municipality, according to a spokesperson, with a task force formed to examine the options regarding the name of the square and its future use.
The Times of Israel Community.