On the evening of October 11, 2025, Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square became the emotional epicenter of Israel as tens of thousands—some estimates put the crowd at nearly 400,000—gathered for a rally that was anything but ordinary. The event came on the heels of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, expected to end the two-year Israel-Hamas war that began with the devastating attacks of October 7, 2023. The crowd was there for a moment that felt historic: the imminent release of the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza, including both survivors and the remains of those declared dead.
At the heart of the rally were speeches by Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff—figures who, in the eyes of many Israelis, had become symbols of hope, resilience, and international solidarity. The timing was charged: the 72-hour window for the return of the hostages was set to end on Monday, October 13, 2025, coinciding with an anticipated visit to Israel by President Donald Trump himself.
Witkoff, Kushner, and Ivanka Trump had just returned from high-stakes negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. According to Jewish Insider and The Media Line, the ceasefire deal was hammered out with the involvement of key Arab leaders: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Emir and Prime Minister of Qatar, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Their roles were critical, and Witkoff made a point of thanking them publicly, declaring, “To the Arab leaders and partners of ours who meant so much in this negotiation... all of whom played a critical and integral role in this peace deal—I say thank you.”
The mood in Hostages Square was electric but complicated. As Witkoff addressed the crowd, he began with words that resonated deeply: “All of our hearts beating as one gathered here in Tel Aviv for peace, for unity and for hope in this sacred place we call Hostages Square.” He spoke directly to the families and the hostages, promising, “as you return to the embrace of your families and your nation, know that all of Israel and the entire world stands ready to welcome you home with open arms and endless love.”
Yet, the event was not without tension. When Witkoff mentioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the crowd erupted in boos—a reaction that forced him to pause and underscored the divisions that have emerged in Israeli society over the government’s handling of the war and the hostage crisis. Despite this, Witkoff urged recognition for Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, praising their sacrifices: “They’ve given everything—their time, their energy and their hearts—to building a safer, stronger future for the Jewish people. Their commitment to this country has never wavered, and it never will.”
Throughout the evening, the name of President Trump was met with cheers and gratitude. Many in the crowd credited him with making the peace and hostage deal possible. “Only Trump,” said one woman when asked by ABC News who deserved credit for the breakthrough. Others echoed this sentiment, with a young man named Yuval adding, “We couldn’t have done it without the help of Trump.”
Ivanka Trump’s speech was brief but powerful. She expressed deep admiration for the families of the hostages, saying, “We honor the strength of every family, waiting, praying, and believing… I am in awe of your strength and conviction.” She emphasized that each hostage’s return was “a triumph of faith, of courage, and of our shared humanity.” Delivering a personal message from President Trump, she stated, “He sees you, he hears you, he stands with you—always. Always.” She concluded with a call for healing and a hope that the coming week would mark the beginning of lasting peace: “God bless you all for standing in solidarity together through this dark chapter.”
Jared Kushner, whose involvement in the negotiations had been significant, reflected on the trauma of the past two years. He recounted learning of the October 7 attacks while at a wedding in Colorado, saying, “I just stayed there all night, and I cried … seeing these horrific, barbaric acts shocked me to my core in a way that I’ll never be the same.” Kushner’s words captured the personal and national anguish, but he also looked to the future: “I have complete confidence in this… that what will rise from this trauma will be a level of greatness, a level of achievement, a level of impact on the world, a level of leadership that Israel has never seen.” He called for learning from the challenges and pain of the last few years and urged the crowd to “build bridges of understanding, to eliminate hatred in ourselves, hatred for others, and to really lead with love and understanding.”
The rally was not just about political leaders and international envoys. It was, above all, a gathering for the families—those who had endured two years of torment, uncertainty, and grief. Ruby Chen, father of slain Israeli American hostage Itay Chen, spoke after Ivanka Trump, his presence a somber reminder of the losses that could never be fully healed by any agreement. Many in the crowd were in tears, and as Daniel Lerner, an attendee, told ABC News, “It’s not over until the last hostage is here, until the last Israeli person in Gaza is here.”
While Israelis prepared to welcome home the hostages, in Gaza, Palestinians were returning to ruins. The ceasefire, which began on Friday, allowed thousands to go back north, only to find their homes destroyed. Mahmoud Abu-Sharia, a resident of Gaza, told ABC News, “We returned yesterday and found the house destroyed. There are no necessities of life here—no water, no food, no drink.” The suffering was palpable, with families searching for shelter and mourning their losses. Umm Mohammad el-Dahdouh, another resident, described her desperation: “Here we are in the street—we don’t have land any more, or homes or anything and we don’t know what to do.”
The ceasefire deal included the release of almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, many of whom had been captured during the war, including 250 named by Israel. As aid trucks began to enter Gaza, hopes rose that the truce would hold and that some relief would reach those in desperate need.
The events in Hostages Square were a testament to the power of unity, the pain of division, and the complexity of peace. While Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff spoke of hope, healing, and the possibility of a new chapter, the true test will be whether these aspirations can translate into a durable peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. For now, Tel Aviv’s rally stands as a vivid reminder of the stakes, the sacrifices, and the enduring human spirit at the heart of the Middle East.