Large crowd of supporters join Gvili family at Hostages Square

Hundreds gather in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, calling on the government not to proceed to phase two of the ceasefire until the body of Ran Gvili is released from Hamas captivity.

Gvili, a member of the Yamam police unit, was awaiting scheduled surgery on his shoulder when he fought Hamas terrorists in their October 7, 2023, attack and was killed. His body was then taken hostage to Gaza, where it is reportedly held by Islamic Jihad.

At the Kabbalat Shabbat gathering hosted by the Kibbutz Movement, Gvili’s mother, Talik Gvili, thanks those in attendance, noting that the gathering grows from week to week.

With only one remaining hostage body, the Hostages Forum closed and stopped organizing the weekly Saturday night rallies that had been held at Hostages Square throughout the war.

Instead, the Gvilis, with the support of the Kibbutz Movement, are present at pre-Shabbat gatherings at the Square.

Released hostage Eitan Horn and other former hostages’ family members join the Gvilis at the gathering.

Talik Gvili thanks all those present, noting their mutual responsibility that strengthens her and her family.

“And if Rani can see us now — from above, or from below, or from wherever he is — he would say: Wow. This wasn’t for nothing. It wasn’t in vain. Because this is exactly what unity looks like,” says Gvili.