500 Days Since October 7-Released Israeli Hostages and Families Thank Trump, call for release of others

Tens of thousands gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel to mark 500 days since October 7th. Released Israeli hostages stood alongside the families of those still held captive, the relatives of those who returned, and the bereaved families whose loved ones’ bodies remain in Gaza.

Yael Alexander, mother of American hostage Edan Alexander said while addressing that: “As an American citizen and the mother of Edan, an American citizen who grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, I want to thank President Trump, his special envoy Steve Witkoff, and the American leadership.

President Trump, in the past 2 weeks, you brought back two Americans, Sagui Dekel Chen and Keith Siegel – and today I ask you to bring my son Edan back home to our family so he can continue his life in America. Please, we need one deal that will bring Edan and all the hostages home,” she added.

Hamas captivity survivor Aviva Siegel, wife of Keith Siegel addressed that: “My husband Keith is finally home. He went through 484 days of hell that no human being should ever have to experience. During his captivity, Keith lost 30 kilos. He was locked in a small room where he had to beg just to use the bathroom. For half a year, he was completely alone.

So many times he thought he wouldn’t survive. One day, a Hamas terrorist put a gun to his head and told him, “I am going to shoot you and kill you,” she said.

I want to thank President Trump for bringing Keith home. We still need all the hostages back – those who are alive and those who must be given proper burial.

I was in Gaza. I survived. Keith survived. The others will not. My heart is broken for the hostages and their families. Bring all the hostages back home now,” said Aviva.

Ofri Bibas Levy, sister of Yarden Bibas said that: “17 days have passed since Yarden returned. 17 days that I no longer worry whether he’s eaten or drunk, where he’s sleeping. 17 days that I’m not wondering if he’s alive or dead, no longer fearing that any moment could be his last. 17 days since he returned, but he’s still not really here. In his words: ‘I survived captivity’s hunger, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and psychological abuse. Now I’m here, but my life remains in captivity. There isn’t a moment I don’t think about my family. About Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, wondering when they’ll return to me and this nightmare will end.”

Hamas captivity survivor Danielle Aloni, sister-in-law of David Cunio said that: “500 days since my little daughter Emilia and I were kidnapped into darkness. While Emilia and I have returned, our hearts are broken because my beloved brother-in-law David and his brother Ariel remain there. In that absolute darkness – darkness that still haunts me now, in painful dreams, during restless days and hours. We demand – return everyone, the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for burial, in a single deal. No stops, no phases, no foot-dragging, and no one left behind. Because abandoning them means abandoning ourselves. Until the last hostage returns!”

Yeela David, sister of Evyatar David while urging for the release of her brother said that: “I am grateful for every person who returns. But on the other side is my big brother, my own blood. Phase Two is the last chance to save the lives of dozens of men who are being left behind in the current phase. If this deal falls apart and Phase Two doesn’t begin – it will remain a black stain in the pages of our history.”

Hostage survivor Noga Weiss, daughter of hostage survivor Shiri Weiss and the late Ilan Weiss reminded the crowd of her horrors telling that: “My mother and I returned in the deal on day 50. I survived 50 days in captivity, and it feels like a miracle. Tonight I stand here, on day 500 – and there are 73 hostages still there in inhuman conditions, living in constant fear. They’re waiting for us to save them – every passing moment is a danger to their lives. After I returned, we learned that my father was murdered and taken to Gaza. He must return. He deserves proper burial. I deserve to cry at my father’s grave.”