Hundreds rally in Tel Aviv to demand release of captives, highlight plight of child hostages

Hundreds gather on Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square and a block away on Begin Road to demand the return of the hostages from Gaza.

The Hostages Square rally is dedicated to the children in captivity, ahead of International Children’s Day on Wednesday. There are currently two child hostages: Ariel Bibas, 5, and Kfir Bibas, 1. Their aunt, Ofri Bibas, is among this evening’s speakers.

On Begin Road, in front of the IDF headquarters, protesters call for an end to the war with Hamas as part of a hostage deal. They set off smoke stacks and beat on drums, chanting: “They [the hostages] are running out of time — a deal is on the table!”

The rally on Begin Road is unaffiliated with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and is frequented by families of captives who are more openly critical of the government.

Before the rally, these families made a statement, pleading with US President-elect Donald Trump to help bring their loved ones.

Toward the end of the statement, a man wearing a shirt reading “Lions of the Right” played music from a loudspeaker and got in a shoving match with Natalie Zangauker, sister of hostage Matan Zangauker, according to footage shared by a Haaretz reporter. It was unclear if the man was apprehended.

אדם עם חולצה של ״אריות הימין״ הגיע מול הצהרת המשפחות בבגין, לקראת סיומה, עם מערכת הגברה והשמיע שירים בהתרסה. כשפעילים ועינב צנגאוקר הגיעו ודרשו מהשוטרים שילך משם. הוא סרב והחלו קללות ודחיפות כולל בינו לבין נטלי צנגאוקר ולפעיל נוסף שהגיע למקום להגן עליה. המשטרה שם, אבל שוטר אחד… pic.twitter.com/P3zvxSsCD6

— Bar Peleg (@bar_peleg) November 16, 2024