Some 100,000 Israelis attend '50 Days of Hell' rally 'to continue to fight' for release of all hostages held by Hamas

Approximately 100,000 Israelis attended a rally on Saturday in central Tel Aviv to demonstrate support for the Israeli hostages and mark “50 Days of Hell” since Hamas terrorists invaded the Jewish state and massacred around 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7.

The large crowd gathered outside of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, adjacent to the Israeli Defense Ministry, in what is now informally called 'Hostage Square.' The attendees demanded the release of all Israeli and international hostages currently being held by the Hamas terror organization inside the Gaza Strip.

Celebrated Israeli singer Ehud Banai performed at the rally and stressed the importance of bringing all hostages back home.

“Returning hostages is the biggest mitzvah there is,” Banai told the crowd.

“With Hanukkah coming, we’ll light many candles during this dark time. Our hearts are broken until we see all of them home,” the singer added, referring to the ancient Jewish holiday symbolizing light and hope amid oppression and terror.

Banai led the crowd as he performed his song “Ir Miklat” or City of Refuge.

Alon Adar, the grandson of 85-year-old Yaffa Adar, who was abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7 and recently released after being imprisoned for nearly 50 days inside the Gaza Strip, was one of the speakers at the rally.

“We’re joyous with my savta [grandmother] home but my cousin Tamir is still there,” Alon Adar said.

“Savta’s return gives hope that all the hostages will come back,” he added.

Yaffa Adar has been hailed as a symbol of Israeli and Zionist resilience during a time of captivity.

However, he emphasized the need to remind the world about the rest of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

“But we know that we need to continue to fight this crazy thing, to come to the plaza and to tell the world the story behind each picture. Our families need you.”

Orna and Ronen Neutra, the Israeli parents of American-born IDF soldier Omer Neutra, who was kidnapped on Oct. 7, told the crowd at the rally about their son being raised on Long Island in New York and the fact that he was born just one month after the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.

The Neutras admitted that life is not easy for lone soldiers in Israel whose families live abroad. However, they stressed the strong support system in Israeli society.

“We love you, Omer, and we will not rest until they bring you home now,” his parents vowed.

On Saturday night, 13 Israelis and 4 Thai foreign nationals were released by Hamas after 50 days of captivity in the Gaza Strip.

The U.S. Biden administration has welcomed the release of some Israeli and international hostages in the past two days. However, U.S. officials are disappointed that no American hostages have been released by Hamas.

“We're disappointed that we haven't seen the Americans on the list yet, but we're hopeful for the next two days,” a Biden administration official told ABC News.

“The U.S. hopes we can maintain the ceasefire and release of prisoners because we want all the hostages outside,” the official added.