Israelis cheer Trump at Tel Aviv rally as they brace for the return of hostages

Published on 12/10/2025 - 8:17 GMT+2

Large crowds gathered successful Tel Aviv connected Saturday evening to rally for nan merchandise of hostages successful Gaza, arsenic nan 2nd time of a US-brokered ceasefire statement betwixt Israel and Hamas came to an end.

An estimated 100,000 group gathered connected nan alleged Hostages Square, wherever they shouted US President Donald Trump for securing nan deal. Some besides booed their ain Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arsenic US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner addressed nan play rally Israelis dream would beryllium their last.

“To nan hostages themselves, our brothers and sisters, you are coming home," Witkoff told nan crowd.

Kushner said they would observe connected Monday, erstwhile Israel’s subject has said nan 48 hostages still successful Gaza would beryllium freed. The authorities believes astir 20 stay alive. Kushner besides noted nan “suffering” successful Gaza.

The US president's girl Ivanka Trump besides addresssed nan crowd. "The president wanted maine to share, arsenic he has pinch truthful galore of you personally, that he sees you, he hears you, he stands pinch you always," she said.

Israelis hugged and took selfies. Many waved US flags. “It’s a really happy time, but we cognize that location are going to beryllium immoderate incredibly difficult moments coming,” said 1 personification successful nan crowd, Yaniv Peretz.

"Now is simply a captious time. What is required of our members of Knesset, members of nan government, and nan 1 who heads it is zero mistakes, zero mishaps. It's clip to decorativeness and nonstop them location now," said Yaira Gutman, whose girl Tamar was killed successful Hamas' onslaught astatine nan Nova show connected 7 October, 2023.

Hostage subsister Tal Shoham called for bid betwixt Israelis and Palestinians pursuing a devastating 2 years of war.

"If we study really to find nan similarities betwixt america instead, unity will grow," he said.

The statement says mediators and nan ICRC will facilitate nan speech of nan hostages and prisoners without nationalist ceremonies aliases media coverage.

Israel is to free immoderate 250 Palestinians serving situation sentences, arsenic good arsenic astir 1,700 group seized from Gaza nan past 2 years and held without charge.

The Israel Prison Service said prisoners person been transferred to deportation accommodation astatine Ofer and Ktzi’ot prisons, “awaiting instructions from nan governmental echelon.”

Some 1,200 group were killed and 250 were taken hostage during Hamas' 7 October onslaught successful 2023. Most of nan hostages were released successful erstwhile little ceasefire agreements passim nan two-year war.

In Israel's ensuing offensive, much than 67,000 Palestinians successful Gaza were killed, according to nan Hamas-run Health Ministry.

The enclave has been struck by famine and astir 90% of nan organization has been displaced, their homes destroyed successful Israeli bombings.

The warfare has triggered different conflicts successful nan region, sparked worldwide protests and led to allegations of genocide that Israel denies.