On the evening of October 11, 2025, Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square was transformed into a sea of emotion, hope, and political tension as tens of thousands gathered for what organizers hoped would be the final rally calling for the release of hostages taken by Hamas. The event, marked by powerful speeches, unexpected jeers, and a palpable sense of anticipation, drew a crowd estimated by organizers at half a million—though US special envoy Steve Witkoff placed the figure closer to 100,000. Regardless of the exact number, the square was packed with people waving Israeli and American flags, holding up banners, and, at times, breaking into chants and cheers that echoed across the city.
Central to the night’s proceedings were Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who stood alongside Witkoff to address the crowd. Their presence was more than symbolic; both had played significant roles in brokering the recent US-backed ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas. As reported by Sky News and The Times of Israel, the rally was organized by the families of the hostages, many of whom have spent the past two years pleading for their loved ones’ return and, increasingly, directing their frustration at the Israeli government.
Ivanka Trump, who converted to Judaism in 2009, delivered a message of solidarity and hope. Speaking with visible emotion, she told the crowd, “Tonight, we honor the strength of every family waiting, praying, and believing. We’re all praying for Monday and beyond. I am in awe of their strength and conviction in spite of such suffering... As we embark on the next chapter, which, God willing, after far too long, will be a lasting and enduring peace.” Her words were met with thunderous cheers, especially when she relayed a message from her father, former US President Donald Trump: “He sees you, he hears you, he stands with you, always.”
The crowd’s reaction to the Trump family was overwhelmingly positive. Chants of “Thank you, Trump,” rang out, and signs bearing the former president’s portrait were hoisted high. Ivanka continued, “The return of the hostages is a triumph of faith, of courage and of our shared humanity.” She concluded, “We pray this week is one of healing for you all. God bless you all for standing in solidarity together through this dark chapter.”
Jared Kushner, also Jewish and a key architect of the peace deal, reflected on the harrowing events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked a music festival, killing 1,200 and kidnapping 251 Israelis. “Seeing these horrific acts shocked me to my core and I’ll never be the same,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “Instead of replicating the barbarousness of the enemy, you chose to be exceptional, you chose to stand for the values that you stand for, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a friend of Israel’s, somebody that supports Israel, and somebody that fights very strongly to see Israel survive and see its fullest potential.”
Kushner also emphasized the importance of healing and lasting peace, stating, “My heart’s not been complete since that day.” He thanked “the amazing soldiers of the IDF,” attributing the success of the deal to their “heroism, brilliance, and bravery.” Both he and Witkoff had traveled to Egypt to help hammer out the ceasefire’s details, which included not just the release of hostages but also significant humanitarian relief for Gaza.
According to Daily Mail and Haaretz, Phase One of the ceasefire will see the release of the remaining living hostages—twenty in total—as well as the bodies of deceased hostages, in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza. Around 600 humanitarian aid trucks were expected to enter Gaza, a region left devastated by war and famine. While Israel has begun withdrawing its forces, it will retain control over 53 percent of Gaza, with further withdrawals planned in subsequent phases. The hope, as voiced by both Ivanka and Jared, is that this agreement marks the beginning of a “lasting and enduring peace.”
Yet, the night was not without controversy. When Witkoff, who has been instrumental in the negotiations, began to praise Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the mood in the square shifted abruptly. Loud boos erupted from the crowd, repeatedly interrupting his speech. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” Witkoff began, only to be drowned out by jeers. He paused, chuckled awkwardly, and tried to continue: “OK, let me just finish my thought... I was in the trenches with the prime minister. Believe me, he was a very important part here.” Despite the crowd’s reaction, Witkoff persisted in praising Netanyahu’s dedication and sacrifices.
The jeering reflected a broader frustration among the hostage families and many Israelis, who have criticized Netanyahu for his handling of the October 7 attacks and the subsequent hostage crisis. As The Times of Israel noted, weekly rallies have often featured harsh criticism of the prime minister, with some blaming him for not doing enough to secure the hostages’ release. However, not everyone in the square supported the boos. Several families expressed dismay, telling Channel 12 that it was inappropriate to boo Netanyahu during a US envoy’s speech.
Israeli political leaders were quick to weigh in. Benny Gantz, chair of the Blue and White-National Unity party, called the timing of the jeers “a mistake,” writing on X, “Even when there are differences of opinion, to boo the prime minister of Israel, in front of the American administration envoy and in the presence of the hostages’ families – that is a mistake. Not today, and not in front of those people.” Likud ministers condemned the crowd’s behavior, with Education Minister Yoav Kisch calling the protesters the “extremist fringes” of Israeli society and Justice Minister Yariv Levin labeling the boos “a great disgrace.” Likud, Netanyahu’s party, issued a statement defending the prime minister’s role in the negotiations, insisting, “Without the determination, creativity, strategy, and courage of Prime Minister Netanyahu, the hostages would not be returning home.”
Despite the political drama, the rally was imbued with a sense of cautious optimism. As Israel nears the first phase of the Gaza hostage deal, many in the crowd dared to hope that Monday would bring a long-awaited homecoming for the hostages and a new chapter of peace for the region. Ivanka Trump’s words perhaps captured the moment best: “Each hostage is not only a moment of homecoming and relief, it’s a triumph of faith, of courage, and of our shared humanity.”
As the crowd in Hostages Square began to disperse late into the night, the air was thick with anticipation. For the families who have waited so long, and for a nation still healing from trauma, the promise of peace—and the return of loved ones—felt closer than ever before.