The Hostages Families Forum in Israel: families’ determination, public advocacy, and global efforts to bring hostages home after the 2023 attacks.
hostages, Israel, Gaza, Hostages Families Forum, humanitarian, Middle East, hostage negotiation, Israeli society
The Hostages Families Forum: Determination and Hope in Israel
By Yolande Knell – Middle East correspondent, Jerusalem
Hostages Square: A Legacy of Solidarity
In the heart of Tel Aviv, Hostages Square stands as a powerful symbol for families seeking to bring their loved ones home from Gaza. Formerly filled with demonstrations, posters, and the tireless work of the Hostages Families Forum, recent weeks have seen its main stage dismantled, and many campaign posters removed. Yet, every Friday, the Gvili family and their supporters continue to gather, refusing to waver in their quest to recover the body of police officer Ran Gvili, killed trying to rescue others during the October 2023 attacks.
“I feel every day is still the 7 October. We didn’t pass the 7 October, but we are strong, and we’re waiting for him. We do whatever we need. This gives us hope: the support of the people.”
— Itzik Gvili
The Rise of the Hostages Families Forum
The Hostages Families Forum started as a grassroots response in the tragic wake of the 2023 Hamas-led assault, where 1,200 people were killed and hundreds of Israelis kidnapped. Shocked families banded together for answers—first meeting in an underground car park, seeking to reclaim a sense of control as governmental structures faltered.
Gil Dickmann, cousin to deceased hostage Carmel Gat, recalls, “We’re going to do this together. I’m not going to stand alone.” The forum’s slogan, “Bring them home now”, became a rallying cry for hope and unity, drawing over 10,000 volunteers, including ex-diplomats, lawyers, and security officials. Functioning on donations and community support, the group evolved into a potent international advocate for hostage recovery.
Campaigning Locally and Globally
From grassroots beginnings, the Hostages Families Forum mobilized demonstrations, art installations, and powerful media campaigns to keep hostages’ plight at the center of public consciousness. Volunteers, including bereaved family members, organized rallies at Hostages Square, and took their message abroad, lobbying officials and pressuring politicians worldwide.
A major breakthrough arrived in November 2023 with a Qatar-mediated truce, leading to the exchange of female and child hostages for Palestinian prisoners. But the war quickly resumed, leaving many hostages in peril. Tragedies, such as the mistaken killing of Israeli captives by IDF soldiers, deepened the sense of urgency.
Public Opinion and Political Tensions
As fighting escalated in early 2024, Israeli public support became split between defeating Hamas and securing hostages’ release. The forum recruited experienced campaigners to shift national sentiment and maintain pressure on the government to accept negotiation deals, navigating complex politics and growing international scrutiny.
Notable figures, such as Michael Levy—whose brother Or survived captivity—tirelessly advocated both in Israel and abroad. “I almost felt I knew all the other hostages, that every hostage still there was part of my family,” Levy reflected.
Despite persistence, tensions ran high with Israeli leadership. Scandals over leaked documents and allegations that government pressure was aiding Hamas further polarized the debate. The forum’s leaders faced antagonism from some quarters but drew resilience from international solidarity and mass protests.
Lobbying in Washington and Diplomatic Campaigns
In July 2024, as hostages’ relatives demonstrated at Netanyahu’s US Congress address, feelings of isolation underscored the personal toll of the campaign. The loss of hostages like Carmel Gat deepened their resolve, and mass protests in Israel illustrated mounting public frustration.
Shifting Momentum and the Final Hostage Deal
By 2025, both Israeli and global opinion turned decisively against the continuing war in Gaza, with civilian casualties climbing steeply. The Hostages Families Forum directed efforts toward the United States and international mediators. With support from a new US administration and regional actors, fresh deals saw further exchanges and the return of some hostages, alive and deceased.
Despite meetings with world leaders and White House visits by former hostages, setbacks persisted. Some exchanges involved released captives returning emaciated and traumatized, who nonetheless continued to speak out for those left behind.
The Closing Chapter: One Hostage Remains
A breakthrough agreement in October promised the release of remaining hostages, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and greater humanitarian access to Gaza. On 13 October 2025, a majority of the last remaining living hostages returned home. Yet as of this writing, the search and advocacy efforts for Ran Gvili’s body continue, a solemn reminder of the conflict’s enduring pain.
Hostages Square, once buzzing with protests and music, now awaits a final mass rally when Ran Gvili returns. A symbolic tunnel, a “Hope” sign, and a musician’s piano are left in the square, echoing the endurance and unity of those who never gave up.
Legacy and Lessons of the Hostages Families Forum
While Israel’s leaders debate the aftermath and implications of the crisis, the Hostages Families Forum stands as proof of people power and resilience. The campaign united a nation, drew global attention, and offered lessons on civil society’s capacity to drive humanitarian outcomes, even amid war.
The profound emotional journey of the hostage families—and the public that supported them—continues to resonate throughout Israel and beyond. Their message is one of solidarity, hope, and a reaffirmation of the principle that “no one is left behind.”
Learn More
- International Committee of the Red Cross: Activities in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (authoritative source)
- Explore more about the impact of the Hostages Families Forum (internal link).