Optimism reigns at Oct. 7 attack on Israel commemoration in NYC for return of hostages held by Hamas
Tuesday will mark two years since Hamas attacked Israel.
As negotiations continue over the end of the war in the Middle East, New Yorkers were making their voices heard Sunday, pushing for the return of hostages in Gaza.
"We are very, very hopeful"
Chants of "Bring them home! All of them now!" echoed through Central Park on Sunday. However, the latest chapter of the weekly marches hosted by the New York Hostages and Missing Families Forum had a different tone.
"We are very, very hopeful. We are hoping that this actually might be the last time that we convene here," one speaker said to cheers.
The march came two days before the two-year mark of the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, and one day before negotiations to end the war are set to be held in Cairo.
Keith Siegel, who was held captive by Hamas for 484 days, spoke about the importance of bringing the hostages home.
"I could not believe that I was free, and my other friends are still there. Since then, it has become my life's mission to do whatever I can do to bring them all home," Siegel said.
"We've had some very good meetings"
President Trump told reporters on Sunday the deadline for Hamas to release the hostages is "very quickly."
"We had some very good meetings. The countries of the world, a lot of the countries surrounding Israel, frankly Muslim, Arab and many others have had great meetings with Hamas, and it looks like it's working, so we'll wait for a little while," Mr. Trump said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the first part is releasing all hostages, and Israel makes a tactical withdrawal but stays in Gaza. The second part is to disarm Hamas, which is being negotiated.
"And so if it doesn't happen, what President Trump has said is that he will back Israel completely in acting forcefully against Hamas," Netanyahu said.
"It's like a never-ending day that we live in"
Ruby Chen is familiar with the terrors of Hamas. His son, Itay Chen, an Israeli Defense Forces soldier, has been held by Hamas since 2023. His condition is unknown.
"It's like a never-ending day that we live in," Ruby Chen said. "It's difficult because Hamas has inflicted the lowest type of physiological terrorism, which isn't giving any indication on if Itay is in their possession."
Ruby Chen has been waiting anxiously for his son's return, and now recognizes their family is closer than they've ever been.
"After two years, I think it's time to get him back," he said.
Ruby Chen said he is hoping his son is returned soon as a part of the Trump administration's ongoing peace deal with Hamas, and praised the president for his efforts.
At a commemoration ceremony hosted by the UJA Federation of New York and other groups on Sunday night at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side, 46-year-old Iair Horn reflected on a Hamas propaganda video from February that shows hugging his brother, Eitan, who is now 38.
"We knew that it's maybe the, maybe, I hope not, but maybe the last time that we see each other. So, we didn't need words. Just the look between brothers," Iair said.
Eitan was visiting Iair's kibbutz when Hamas terrorist infiltrated. A quarter of the community was kidnapped or killed that day.
"Murdered parents in front of their children," Iair said. "Eitan is sick with a severe skin disease that brings him pain and fever that puts his life at risk every single minute."
