Hundreds of people — including a former Israeli hostage and the parents of one still held — flocked to Central Park on Sunday to call on Hamas to free the remaining captives as a cease-fire deal remains elusive.
The “Bring Them Home Now” rally saw protesters demand the freedom of the up to 100 hostages being held by Hamas, including seven American-Israelis.
Former hostage Moran Stella Yanai, 41, said her heart breaks for those still trapped in Gaza, many of whom were like her, enjoying the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked.
“On that morning, at 6.29 [a.m.], all this freedom turned into a hell on Earth,” she recalled as she fought back tears.
“The Israeli nation and the Jewish people cannot start to heal until we bring all our loved ones back home,” Yanai added.
Yanai, who was among the hostages freed in November, was joined at the rally by Nitsa and Gilad Korngold, parents of still-captive Tal Shoham, a father of two.
Yanai said she and Shoham’s parents have become like family, with the same going for the rest of the relatives of those held captive in Gaza.
“My brother and sisters are in pain, hungry, thirsty, but most of all, in fear,” Yanai said of the conditions she experienced first hand.
While the former hostage said she still has hope that the remaining hostages can be freed, the latest demands from Hamas risk sinking the negotiations.
The terror group is now demanding that Israel free Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences for murder in exchange for the civilian hostages as part of the first stage of the proposed cease-fire deal, The Washington Post said.
The new demand has frozen the deal in its tracks as officials called the prospects of freeing 150 convicted murderers from prison a “poison pill” to the already troubled peace talks, the outlet said.
The negotiations are also being held up by lingering questions on just how many of the roughly 100 hostages in Gaza are still alive, after Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages last week.
After confirming the death of the six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldber-Polin, 23, Israeli officials said they believe at least 64 hostages are still alive.
Goldberg-Polin was among eight Israeli-Americans who were known to be under Hamas captivity.
Officials have previously confirmed the deaths of Judith Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai and Itay Chen.
The remaining American-Israeli citizens trapped in Gaza have been identified as Edan Alexander, Omer Neutra, Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen.
