As U.S. President Donald Trump prepares for a pivotal meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, families of hostages held by Hamas, along with activists, have intensified their efforts to ensure that negotiations continue until all captives are returned. Outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, a large gathering of relatives and supporters expressed their gratitude to Trump and Netanyahu, emphasizing that the current deal must not end prematurely. Their message was clear: “This deal must only end when the last hostage returns.”
Demonstrations were not limited to Tel Aviv. In London and Paris, activists gathered outside the embassies of Qatar and Egypt, two countries playing key roles in the mediation process. Holding posters of hostages still in captivity, they demanded urgent action, imploring negotiators not to leave anyone behind. The protests reflected a growing international movement, fueled by frustration, fear, and hope, as families cling to the possibility of reuniting with their loved ones.
In Tel Aviv, Yael Kalderon, cousin of recently released hostage Ofer Kalderon, spoke about the ordeal he endured in Hamas captivity. She described his suffering and resilience, recalling how he had begged his daughter to save him while being taken into the tunnels. Now free, Ofer continues to grapple with the trauma, while his family remains committed to fighting for those still in captivity. Doron Zexer, host father of released hostage Edan Alexander, echoed this determination, thanking Trump, Netanyahu, and other key figures while urging them to continue their efforts without pause. Every week brings new releases, he said, and these moments of relief must not stop until all families are reunited.
The emotional weight of the ongoing crisis was further underscored by Omri Shtivi, brother of the late Idan Shtivi, who emphasized that true victory and healing would only be possible once all hostages, living or deceased, are returned. His plea highlighted the broader stakes of the negotiations, as families seek not only the safe return of their loved ones but also closure for those who may never come home.
Meanwhile, at Sheba Medical Center, Yarden Bibas, one of the recently released hostages, took his first steps toward recovery. His sister, Ofri Bibas Levy, shared the family’s overwhelming relief at having him home after 484 days of captivity. Yarden endured starvation, harsh conditions, and severe muscle loss, and while his body is healing, his heart remains heavy with uncertainty. His wife, Shiri, and their children, Ariel and Kfir, are still missing. Ofri spoke of Yarden’s pain in realizing he is no longer anonymous, that his suffering has been widely known, and that he now carries the burden of waiting for news about his family. The Bibas family urged the Israeli government to provide answers and ensure that no family endures such prolonged agony.
Dana Silberman Sitton, sister of Shiri Bibas, shared her deep sorrow, recalling the moment she finally breathed again after her brother-in-law’s release. But the relief is incomplete, she said, as long as Shiri and her children remain in captivity. She criticized the Israeli government for failing to protect them in the first place and for failing to bring them home even after nearly 16 months. Addressing Netanyahu and his ministers directly, she implored them to complete the deal, warning that extremist opposition must not be allowed to derail the efforts to secure every hostage’s return.
In a moment of brief respite, five recently freed IDF observers—Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—attended a special concert organized for them at Beilinson Hospital. The event, conducted by Professor Michael Wolpe as part of the “Lu Yehi” social music initiative, served as a small gesture of comfort and celebration amid the ongoing crisis.
Across the Atlantic, the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters launched a mobile billboard campaign in Washington, D.C., urging President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu to continue their efforts. The billboard, displaying the message “President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, we are counting on you to bring them all home,” circled Capitol Hill and the National Mall throughout the day. Families of hostages gathered before it, pleading for sustained diplomatic pressure to ensure every hostage’s safe return.
The growing momentum of these demonstrations and campaigns reflects the raw emotion and determination of families who refuse to be silenced. Their demands are not just for justice, but for an end to their nightmare. With negotiations for the next phase set to begin, the pressure is mounting on political leaders to act swiftly and decisively. Until every hostage is accounted for, the families vow to keep fighting.
