It has been 500 days since October 7, when more than 250 civilians were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. Five hundred days of intense fighting came to an end last month with a ceasefire and tension surrounding the agreement to return the hostages. Today, 73 hostages are still being held by Hamas in harsh conditions in Gaza.
In recent weeks, we have experienced great emotional turmoil surrounding the return of the hostages – on the one hand, joy that some of them are finally home and excitement for the families who are able to embrace their loved ones who are alive. On the other hand, there is deep pain over what they went through for so many days in Gaza, along with the knowledge that there are still hostages in Hamas captivity and sympathy for the families who lost their loved ones.
The purpose of this conversation It is to strengthen the struggle to bring back all the captives, every last one of them, in the belief that their place is at home with their loved ones and that only their return will enable the process of rehabilitation that Israeli society so desperately needs at this time.