Former Hamas hostage Ohad Ben Ami, who was freed from Gaza on February 8 as part of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, appealed for the release of the remaining captive in a video message played at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Saturday evening, where hundreds were gathered for a weekly rally.

Hundreds more were congregated on the nearby Begin Road, for a demonstration at the entrance to the IDF military headquarters, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was holding security consultations about the future of the agreement.

Critics have accused the premier of trying to thwart the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, fears that have grown in recent days after US President Donald Trump suggested that Israel would have the US’s backing to resume the war should Hamas fail to release “all of the hostages” by noon on Saturday.

With midday on Saturday having come and gone, Netanyahu has yet to clarify what he intends to do, but a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said he would “convene the security cabinet as soon as possible to decide on Israel’s next steps.”

Protests calling for the release of hostages have taken place weekly across Israel — including several different spots in Tel Aviv — since soon after the Hamas October 7, 2023 massacre, which saw terrorists kill some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnap 251.

They have continued even after the ceasefire came into effect, as the future stages of the phased deal have yet to be negotiated.

In his pre-recorded address at Hostages Square, Ben Ami thanked the protesters who have come out week after week to draw attention to the plight of the hostages and ensure that they remain in the public eye.

What keeps you going is that suddenly you see a nation fighting for you,” he said. “You have no idea, no idea how much power that gives to those left behind.”

Ben Ami, who, along with fellow freed hostages Or Levy and Eli Sharabi, returned emaciated last Saturday, recalled the difficulty he experienced leaving behind the other hostages he was held with, and urged them from across the distance to “be strong.”

“The people want you back,” he said. “With God’s help, you’ll get out, you’ll get home in the coming days.”

He warned that time was running out for the remaining 73 hostages still in Gaza.

“You see how people slowly change and how time takes its toll, and even people who........

© The Times of Israel