‘Fasting is nothing compared to their suffering’ – Hostage Families Forum calls for fast on 500th day of Hamas captivity

The headquarters of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum on Saturday called for a day of fasting on Monday to mark 500 days of Hamas captivity. 

"On Monday, we will reach the unbelievable mark of 500 days in which 73 abductees are being held in the hell of Hamas in Gaza,” the forum said in a statement. 

“This day of fasting is nothing compared to the suffering they are experiencing there," the families' headquarters said, "but this is a day of identification and a demonstration of solidarity that strengthens the kidnapped and gives voice to the cry of those whose voices are not heard. There is no more time – we must act immediately to return everyone.” 

Tomorrow, Omri and 72 other hostages mark 500 days in captivity—500 days of stolen dreams, hopes, and lives.

People like us, with families, passions, and futures, trapped in a nightmare.

Tomorrow, hostage families will fast 500 minutes —to atone and stand with them in spirit. pic.twitter.com/JCdhKcr3ML

— Moshe Emilio Lavi (@MosheELavi) February 16, 2025

In Jerusalem, families of the hostages gathered at the Hostages and Missing Families Forum tent on Azza Street in front of the Israeli Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem and began marching towards the Knesset building on Monday morning. 

Before the march, Levi Ben-Baruch, the uncle of hostage dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander, said, “We will fast 500 minutes for the captives. They’ve already been fasting for 500 days.” 

Ben-Baruch began the morning’s activities with the “Shema Yisrael" prayer in front of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence, wrapped in a tallit [prayer shawl]. 

“For 500 days our brothers and sisters have been in Hamas captivity,” Ben-Baruch said. “We open the morning with a cry and tear open the gates of heaven in a plea to the Creator of the World to redeem them from their torment. Shema Yisrael, we hear the harsh testimonies and our hearts are torn. They are chained, tied up and starving. We demand everyone at home, down to the last hostage.” 

Shai Dickmann, the cousin of Carmel Gat who was murdered by Hamas at the end of August, spoke of the families’ fear of a collapse of the ceasefire agreement. 

“If war starts, it is a death sentence for many of the hostages,” Dickman said ahead of the march to the Knesset. 

Uri Goren, the cousin of Tal Haimi, who was killed during the Hamas invasion and massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, and whose body was abducted to Gaza, thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff for their leadership in securing the current hostage release. 

Goren said it is important to bring back even those killed during the attack or in captivity. 

“The deceased hostages must come back for [a] final resting place,” he stated. 

Standing outside the Knesset building, Gilat Fish, the aunt of Sagui Dekel-Chen, who was freed from Hamas captivity on Saturday, stated: "I am here to tell the citizens of Israel that they can be returned to the bosom of their families. On the 500th day, we call on all the people of Israel to join us in this struggle and take part in a day of fasting. Come to the Knesset with us and be with us today. We will not stop the struggle until the last captive.” 

The forum said the fast will last 500 minutes, starting at 11:40 a.m. until 8 p.m. or alternatively from sunrise to sunset. The hostage forum headquarters also spoke out against attempts by some politicians to undermine the ceasefire deal before all the hostages have been released and brought home. 

“The last few days and the horrifying testimonies require immediate action,” the forum stated. “This agreement must not be allowed to explode, we must continue to exploit this momentum to make a quick and responsible agreement for everyone.” 

At the end of the fast, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum will hold a rally in the Hostages Square, across from the military headquarters in Tel Aviv. 

Several anti-coalition and anti-Netanyahu protest groups have already announced plans to hold rallies throughout the day to highlight the plight of the hostages and those Israeli citizens who were evacuated from their homes in the north and the south and have not been able to return to their homes.