'I was in Gaza. I survived - others will not' - Urgent calls for immediate release of hostages in Gaza intensify

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum was created on Oct. 7, 2023, in response to the Hamas-led massacre and attack on southern Israeli communities. Within a mere 24 hours, the families of those abducted and missing came together to form this volunteer-led organization, dedicated to securing the safe return of their loved ones.

Monday was a big milestone – 500 days – marking the amount of time since 251 hostages were abducted into Gaza by members of Hamas and willing Gazan civilians.

Tens of thousands of Israelis – including families of those still held by Hamas – filled Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to mark this day with unrelenting urgent calls for the government of Israel to bring the hostages home NOW!

The Forum called for a time of fasting that would last from 11:40 a.m. until 8 p.m. or from sunrise to sundown. The fast ended with the kick-off of the event last night.

With the release of three male hostages on Saturday, 73 people remain in captivity in Gaza. Family and friends of the hostages as well as government officials have become increasingly concerned about the condition of those left in Gaza especially after seeing the state of the recent hostages released.

The stories coming out from the released hostages include starvation, physical and psychological torture, untreated wounds, and being held deep inside Hamas’ dark tunnels alone.

In addition to information about the abuse and neglect the hostages have endured in captivity, those who have been released have brought back invaluable information such as 'signs of life' for many families who had received little to no news about their loved ones since the day they were abducted.

This has brought a surge of hope and urgency among the members of the Forum as well as the citizens of Israel, who stress that “time is running out” as they appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently promised if the hostages weren't released in full by noon this past Saturday, "all hell would break out."

Ultimately, Trump has said it's Israel's decision as to how they proceed with the hostage-ceasefire deal, but that it has the full support of the United States.

A few family members shared their joy and pain at the Forum's event Monday night. “Tonight is a special evening for us,” said Danielle Aloni, the sister-in-law of hostage David Cunio. “We recently received another sign of life.”

The Jerusalem Post reported that Aloni told the crowd, “One of the recently released hostages told the family he was with Cunio in captivity.”

Additionally, American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander (20) from New Jersey was seen by his family alive in a Hamas propaganda video in November.

“I haven’t breathed for 500 days,” said Yael Alexander, Edan’s mother. “In 500 days, you can hike across the United States from coast to coast, twice.”

In an appeal to bring her son back home, Alexander pleaded, “President Trump, the past two weeks, you brought back two Americans, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Keith Siegel – today I ask you to bring my son Edan back home to our family so he can continue his life in America."

Keith Siegel, an American citizen who was freed last week, reportedly lost 30 kilograms (66 pounds) in captivity and was locked in a small room. His wife, Aviva, said for six months he was held completely alone.

In a sick twist, prior to his release, Siegel was forced by his captors to write a detailed thank you note to them describing all the ways he was treated well – despite the fact he had not eaten since the afternoon before the day of his release.

Siegel's brother, Lee, told The Jerusalem Post that Keith "would imagine conversations in his mind with his loved ones while in captivity."

“I was in Gaza. I survived. Keith survived. The others will not. My heart is broken for the hostages and their families,” Aviva Siegel remarked.

At this time, Israel is preparing to receive up to four bodies of killed hostages on Thursday as well as between three and six more living hostages on Saturday.