With gatherings restricted, hostage families rally online for their loved ones’ freedom

Amid restrictions on the size of public gatherings due to the war with Iran, the families of Hamas hostages and their supporters hold an online rally in place of the weekly demonstrations, urging the return of the 53 remaining captives.

According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, over 2,000 people took part in the event, one of several online gatherings in support of the hostages.

“This is the moment when decision-makers must understand that there’s a specific point on the timeline where a decision has to be made — to focus on their return,” says Kobi Ohel, father of hostage Alon Ohel. “Only then will we be able to grow, recover, and rebuild — when the right decision is made.”

“I turn to our leadership and ask: make the right decision now. Bring them back. Address this, too — show how we bring them home today.”

The sister of freed hostage Yarden Bibas, whose wife Shiri and young sons Ariel and Kfir were murdered in captivity, Ofri Bibas-Levy, says that “it feels like the 53 hostages have disappeared from the conversation” as a result of the fighting with Iran.

“They’re still there, while people move on to the next front. It’s important for the public to know: the hostages could be home now — we are one political decision away,” adds Bibas-Levy. “Just as there was a brave decision to strike in Iran, and just as leaders showed courage to bring closure in Lebanon — now we are one just decision away from bringing them all home.”

She also says that such a decision “will bring our brave soldiers home” and “allow us to shift focus and resources to Iran.”

“The story in Gaza can end.”