09/05/2025September 5, 2025
Hostage families mark 700th day since Hamas’ October 7 attack
Families of hostages held by Hamas and its allies in Gaza were gathered in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Friday morning, calling for a negotiated end to the war in Gaza and the return of remaining hostages.
Demonstrators displayed a large “SOS” sign on the ground at the Hostages Square, while others gathered near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem, according to the Times of Israel newspaper.
At a press conference, released hostages also spoke to the public. Iair Horn, who was released in February and has since fought for the release of his brother, still in captivity, and the 49 hostages in Gaza, said:
“I have a million stories about what it’s like to be in hell, to be in captivity,” the Times of Israel quoted him as saying. “I can say that we didn’t eat anything, that there was no air to breathe in the tunnels, that we barely drank water — and even when we did, it was salty. But after 700 days, it seems that it doesn’t matter to anyone, and that it’s ok to keep people captive.
“I never imagined that we would reach the 700th day, and that I would have to stand here and talk about my brother Eitan, who is still a hostage, and my friends who are still being held hostage,” he added.
The post Middle East updates: Protesters mark 700 days since Oct. 7 appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
