Thousands Rally in Israel for Hostage Release as Freed Captive Calls for Ceasefire Deal
Thousands of Israelis gathered Saturday evening to demand the release of hostages still held by Hamas, urging the government to reach an agreement that would free all remaining captives. The protest came as negotiations continue over a potential temporary ceasefire that may result in the partial return of hostages from Gaza.
Addressing a crowd of around 2,000 people at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, freed hostage Doron Steinbrecher called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war, finalize a hostage deal, and “make Israel great again.”
“Six months ago, I saw the sun for the first time after 471 days in the tunnels,” said Steinbrecher, who was freed in January as part of a previous truce-hostage exchange. “Six months ago, I drew my first breath that wasn’t filled with fear.”
“Now, after six months, I still can’t breathe… without fear,” said Doron Steinbrecher, her voice breaking as she addressed a crowd of thousands at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Saturday evening. “It’ll take time. And the first step is that everyone comes back.”
Steinbrecher, who was released from Hamas captivity in January after 471 days held in underground tunnels, delivered an impassioned plea to both Israeli and U.S. leadership. Switching to English, she addressed former U.S. President Donald Trump directly:
“We have met and spoken; I know how personally important this is to you, how deeply you are involved, and I know what you are capable of. Make it happen. Let everyone emerge through the gates of hell so that we may rise.”
Turning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, known widely as “Bibi,” she continued, “Bibi and Trump — close the deal, so that we could make Israel great again!”
The demonstration, one of the largest of its kind in recent weeks, began with a moment of silence honoring the 893 IDF soldiers who have died during and since the Hamas-led assault of October 7, 2023. Protesters, waving Israeli flags and holding posters of the hostages, demanded urgent government action to secure the release of all remaining captives.
The moment of silence was briefly disrupted by a confrontation on the southern edge of the square, where left-wing protesters typically assemble before the Saturday-night rallies. Holding signs condemning “war crimes” and “genocide” in Gaza, the group drew the ire of a man carrying an Israeli flag marked with an anti-government emblem. He shouted that they should be “ashamed” and appeared on the verge of a physical altercation with one of the activists before others intervened to deescalate the situation.
After the moment of silence, the rally’s emcee, attorney Ayelet Hashachar Seidoff—leader of the anti-government group Mothers on the Front—delivered a sharp criticism of the government’s policy on Haredi military exemptions.
“You are more Jewish than all the Haredim in Bnei Brak,” she told the cheering crowd, referencing the ultra-Orthodox city near Tel Aviv, drawing loud applause.
Vered Shavit Fima, a mother of two combat soldiers, also took the stage, denouncing the government’s attempts to legally enshrine draft exemptions for the Haredi community. She highlighted the severe physical and psychological toll the war is taking on soldiers, many of whom, she said, are demanding an end to the conflict.
“When they return home,” she said, “they find deals made at their expense—laws that enable draft evasion, extended service terms, and financial benefits awarded to those who don’t serve, while they themselves lack basic equipment.”
During her speech, the group of left-wing activists quietly exited to attend a silent vigil on Kaplan Street in memory of Palestinian children killed in Gaza.
As the evening progressed, demonstrators from three separate protest sites—Hostages Square, Begin Road, and Habima Square—merged into a unified march. Together with families of hostages, they proceeded to a mass rally outside the U.S. Embassy Branch Office on Hayarkon Street.
Among the leaders of the march were former hostage Yocheved Lifshitz, the widow of slain hostage Oded Lifshitz, and other relatives of hostages, including Tal Kuperstein, father of Bar Kuperstein, who participated from his wheelchair.
Outside the US mission’s beachfront entrance, the crowd was awash with Israeli, American, and yellow flags—the latter symbolizing support for the hostages’ cause. Protesters gathered behind a large banner imploring former President Trump to secure a “big, beautiful deal,” referencing the name of his recent spending bill. Spread across the sand was a massive sign bearing the message: “Save the hostages, end the war.”
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, declared that families would accept nothing less than the immediate return of all 50 hostages, both living and deceased.
“We won’t be satisfied with eight hostages, not with 10 hostages, and not with 49,” she said passionately. “This is the time for Israel to choose life. This is the time to end the war in exchange for all the hostages, to give us our breath back, to let us hug our loved ones again.”
Addressing former U.S. President Donald Trump in English, she pleaded, “Mr. President, sir, we are counting on you; you brought hostages home before, please do it again. We need you, and we need your leadership. We are begging you, help us bring our children home now.”
A similar demonstration took place outside the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.
