Hundreds Mourn, Demand Release Of Remaining Hostages, In Central Park

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered in Central Park on Sunday morning, to pay tribute to the six Israeli hostages who were murdered by Hamas in Gaza at the end of August and demand the safe return of the remaining hostages still held in captivity, according to multiple reports.

The event, which was organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum – “a civil, volunteer-based organization with no political affiliation, focused on bringing our loved ones back home by any means necessary through all available channels” – featured the voices of a former hostage as well as the parents of a man who has yet to be released.

Moran Stela Yanai, who was taken by Hamas when the group attacked Israel on October 7 and released after 54 days in captivity, told those assembled that “her heart breaks” for the hostages who are still missing.

“The Israeli nation and the Jewish people cannot start to heal until we bring all our loved ones back home,” she added.

Gilad and Nitza Korngold, whose son Tal Shoham remains in captivity, also spoke at the event.

Massive protests have taken place in Israel since the bodies of six hostages were recovered in Gaza at the end of August.

As many as 500,000 protestors reportedly attended a rally in Tel Aviv on Sunday, where they demanded the government strike a ceasefire deal with Hamas to secure the release of those hostages who still remain in captivity.

Officials estimate that 64 hostages are still alive. The bodies of 33 hostages who have died have not yet been repatriated, they say.

The one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks, which plunged Israel and Hamas into a seemingly intractable conflict, is less than one month away.

Sunday’s event follows a vigil and rally in Central Park earlier this month.