From the Liveblog of
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Shift 101 stages sit-in at Dizengoff Square to demand return of hostage bodies
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
Shift 101, the silent sit-in protest group, gathers at Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv to demand the release of all 19 deceased hostages still being held by Hamas.
The protestors are joined by bereaved families, as well as by regular attendee Maccabit Meyer, the aunt of released hostages Ziv and Gali Berman; Lee Siegel, brother of released hostage Keith Siegel; and Shay Dickmann, cousin of murdered hostage Carmel Gat.
The white-clad members of Shift 101 usually gather outside national buildings and sites, but tonight congregate at the Dizengoff Square, which over the past two years has become an official memorial site for all those lost on October 7 and in the ensuing war, with photos, mementos, and keepsakes of the fallen propped on the large fountain in the center of the square.
Nearby, protesters are also gathering at Begin Gate outside the Defense Ministry to call for the release of the final hostages.
The Times of Israel Community.