President Isaac Herzog visited Hostages Square on Sunday as Israelis marked a nationwide strike calling for the release of hostages still held in Gaza and an end to the ongoing war.
While addressing demonstrators and meeting with families of those abducted, Herzog said the plight of the hostages remains at the forefront of the nation’s concerns.
“There’s no Israeli who doesn’t want them back home,” the president declared. “We can argue about philosophies, but truly, the people of Israel want our brothers and sisters back home.”
Herzog directed a message to the 50 hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are thought to still be alive.
“We haven’t forgotten you for a moment,” he said. “We’re making every effort to bring you back home.”
Switching briefly to English, Herzog appealed to world leaders and international media to intensify pressure on Hamas.
“Our sons and daughters have been in the dungeons of Gaza for 681 days,We want them back home as soon as possible.
“The world should want them back home as soon as possible. Stop being hypocrites. Apply real pressure, no deals, no negotiations, until Hamas releases them,” Herzog said, standing alongside Sharon Sharabi, brother of released hostage Eli Sharabi, and Yael Adar, mother of fallen soldier Tamir Adar, whose body remains in Gaza.
The president stated that the hostages’ return is not only an Israeli issue but one of global moral responsibility.
“They are the most important issue on world affairs, and we want to see them back home as soon as possible,” he said.
According to his office, Herzog also held private meetings with several hostages’ families to hear their testimonies and to express his solidarity.
