Hostages Square

Hostages Square
כיכר החטופים
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LocationTel Aviv, Israel
Coordinates32°04′37″N 34°47′14″E / 32.0770°N 34.7871°E / 32.0770; 34.7871
StatusOpen

Hostages Square (Hebrew: כיכר החטופים, romanized: Kikar HaChatufim) is a public plaza located in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. In the wake of the October 7 attacks, families of the hostages established a permanent encampment in the square due to its proximity to the Israel Defense Forces headquarters. It has since become a central site for rallies and protests during the Gaza war, calling for the hostages' release.

History

This plaza was originally named Museum Square (Hebrew: כיכר המוזיאון) because of its location in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. This plaza became known as Hostages Square following the October 7 attacks in commemoration of the Gaza war hostage crisis. It became a gathering point for families of the hostages and their supporters, most notably the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, in raising awareness towards releasing the hostages. It also became a major gathering place for Israeli hostage deal protests as protesters hold rallies calling for hostage release.

On 3 November 2023, a "tent city" was established in the square by the families. These tents were set up by kibbutzim from the western Negev, families of victims of the Nova music festival massacre, the Bnei Akiva movement, and the Wolfson Foundation [he]'s "Ayelet Hashachar" organization.

The square hosts kiosks selling merchandise with the "Bring Them Home Now" logo, tents for gatherings and discussions, and small stages for speeches. Some tents are staffed by representatives and survivors from the attacked kibbutzim, who speak with visitors and display posters of their kidnapped members. An electronic screen was installed that counts the time elapsed since the October 7 attacks. After the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage held in Gaza, were recovered on 26 January 2026, a ceremony was held and the counter was stopped at 843 days.

The CEO of the Tel Aviv Museum has described the square as a "direct and open line between the general public and the museum," citing the connection between the art installations in the plaza and the exhibits inside.

Art installations

A long table set up for a Shabbat dinner to visualize the number of hostages held in the Gaza Strip

The square features art installations and banners highlighting the hostages' plight and calling for their release.

One of the first pieces installed was an empty Shabbat dinner table, with an empty seat for each hostage. Other works include the Empty Yellow Chairs [he] installation, where the color yellow signifies solidarity. Mirrors were also installed around a pre-war sculpture, The Binding of Isaac [he] by Menashe Kadishman.

Some pieces were repurposed for the square, such as a large metal and wood female face sculpture by Nitzan Peled and Gidi Galor. The incomplete work survived the Be'eri massacre and was moved to Arugot for completion before its installation.

Entrance of the Kidnapped Tunnel performance art piece by Roni Levavi, created in collaboration with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum

In January 2024, a 25-meter mock Hamas tunnel was erected. This narrow, dimly lit passage allows attendees to walk through while loudspeakers play the names of the hostages, messages from their families, and sounds of distant gunfire to simulate the conditions of captivity.

A "Tree of Wishes" was installed with tags decorated by Jewish schoolchildren from 650 schools worldwide, a project connected to the UnitEd program of the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.

In September 2025, to mark the 700th day of captivity, protesters displayed a large yellow SOS sign with an hourglass, symbolizing that time was running out. Attendees wore yellow and were led in a Friday evening prayer service by representatives from Gaza-border communities, hostage families, and released hostages.

Rallies

2023

On 12 November 2023, Arab-Israeli newscaster Lucy Aharish led a rally of over 1,000 women in Hostages Square, calling for the release of the more than 100 women held hostage and condemning the sexual violence committed on October 7. Speakers, including Cochav Elkayam-Levy, model Linor Abargil, newscaster Linoy Bar-Geffen [he], athlete Yarden Gerbi, and singer Rita, also criticized the silence of international women's organizations on the issue.

On 24 November, a large Shabbat service was held at the square following that day's hostage release. Attendees included cabinet minister Benny Gantz. The next day, approximately 100,000 people rallied to mark "50 Days of Hell" since the hostage-taking.

In early December 2023, thousands gathered to demand the return of the remaining hostages. Speakers included recently freed hostages who had been released during the late-November temporary ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

2024

The square has been the site of weekly rallies held by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum since the hostages were taken, with anti-governmental protests also being held nearby since early 2024.

Ambassador Jack Lew Speaks at the 100 Days Memorial for hostages at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv in January 2024

On the evening of 13 January 2024, an estimated 120,000 people attended the start of a 24-hour rally to mark 100 days since the attacks. Speakers included relatives of the hostages, French President Emmanuel Macron, US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew, former Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch, Nobel laureate Aaron Ciechanover, and Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau. Family members warned that time was running out and expressed frustration with the government's efforts. Despite heavy rain, fifty artists performed and spoke in support of the hostages, including Sarit Hadad, Itay Levi, Ran Danker, Ehud Banai, Jasmin Moallem, Elai Botner [he], Zehava Ben, and Amir Dadon [he].

On 23 March, a reading [he] of the Book of Esther for Purim was held, led by the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization and Rabbi Kenneth Brander of Ohr Torah Stone. Shay Gabso also performed.

On 30 March, after a rally in the square, family members of hostages marched towards the Kirya, joined by anti-government protesters from the Kaplan protest. Israeli police declared the march illegal, and the event reportedly turned violent, with family members' microphones being cut off at the Begin Bridge.

2025

Thousands of Israelis gathered at the square on 13 October 2025 to watch a split screen on a jumbotron of Trump visiting Israel and the release of hostages

In January 2025, the square was used to stream live transmissions of hostages being released to the IDF during the 2025 ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Pictures of the released individuals were displayed throughout the square. During the first release, roughly 2,000 people watched the events on large screens, releasing yellow balloons into the air once the hostages were confirmed to be back in Israel.

On 30 January, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff visited the square, meeting with released hostages and family members of those still in captivity.

On 10 February, an event was held to commemorate the 24th birthday of Alon Ohel, his second in captivity. His family called for his release, and singer Ivri Lider performed for them.

On 28 May, thousands gathered to mark 600 days of war and hostage crisis. The rally featured speeches from actor Lior Ashkenazi, testimony from released hostages, and appeals from families of those still held.

On 31 May, during the holiday of Shavuot, rallies were held nationwide to demand a ceasefire and hostage deal, coinciding with US diplomatic efforts. A rally at the square, hosted by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, featured speeches from former hostages and families of the remaining captives.

On 13 October 2025, thousands of Israelis gathered at Hostages Square in celebration as the last 20 living hostages were released back into Israel following the implementation of the Gaza peace plan.

2026

On 27 January 2026, following the return of the last hostage body and the end of the Gaza war hostage crisis, the hostages clock at the square stopped counting, with the final count being 843 days.

In August 2026, the Tel Aviv municipality officially renamed the plaza Hostages Square. Until then, the name had been commonly used but was unofficial. The municipality stated that the name change "is meant to ensure that this chapter in Israel’s history — from October 7, 2023, until the return of the last hostage, Ran Gvili, on January 26, 2026 — will be remembered for generations."

Notes

  1. ↑ The first 3 words on the banner (top row, from the right) are the first 3 words of Psalm 107:14. The four other words in black roughtly translate as "and return them to their families as quickly as possible". The text in red says "and we shall say, 'Amen'"

References

  1. ↑ "בני גנץ: "המאבק הוא על צלמה ודמותה של מדינת ישראל"" [Benny Gantz: "The struggle is over the image and character of the State of Israel"] (in Hebrew). Globes. 25 May 2019.
  2. ↑ "Thousands of Israelis rally against Netanyahu indictment". TV7 Israel News. 27 November 2019.
  3. ↑ "משפחות השבויים החליפו את שם רחבת המוזיאון בת"א: "כיכר החטופים והנעדרים"" [Families of captives changed the name of the museum square in Tel Aviv: "Square of the Kidnapped and Missing"]. Israel Hayom. 24 October 2023.
  4. ↑ "Where Hostage Families and Supporters Gather, for Solace and Protest". New York Times. 21 February 2024.
  5. ↑ Kornbluh, Jacob (2023-11-22). "'A warm hug from grandma': In Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, families contemplate the expected release of 50 hostages". The Forward. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  6. ↑ Lidman, Melanie; Steinberg, Jessica (2023-11-12). "'A nightmare, we're not living': Tens of thousands rally for hostages' return". The Times of Israel.
  7. ↑ "Israel-Hamas war: In Tel Aviv's 'Hostage Square,' euphoria has given way to fear". Le Monde. 2023-12-03. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  8. 1 2 Sabbagh, Dan; Sinmaz, Emine; Kierszenbaum, Quique (2023-11-24). "'It brings hope': in Tel Aviv plaza, cheers greet news of hostage release". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  9. ↑ ""נישן באוהל עד שהם יחזרו": משפחות החטופים לא מאבדות תקווה" ["We'll sleep in a tent until they return": Families of the kidnapped do not lose hope] (in Hebrew). Ma'ariv. November 3, 2023. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023.
  10. ↑ ""סמל עבור רבים": כך הפכה "כיכר החטופים" לחלק בלתי נפרד מסיפור המלחמה" ["A symbol for many": This is how "Kidnapped Square" became an integral part of the war story]. Ma'ariv. December 6, 2023. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ Steinberg, Jessica (25 December 2023). "2 evocative exhibits go up in Tel Aviv museum, as battle for hostages is waged outside". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  12. 1 2 Steinberg, Jessica (12 January 2025). "Making hostages a centerpiece, a Tel Aviv museum becomes a showcase for wartime agility". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  13. 1 2 3 Leichman, Abigail Klein (2024-03-07). "Bearing the pain of Hostage Square: Tales from the Heart". ISRAEL21c. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  14. ↑ "Hostages Square clock to be stopped after 843 days". The Jerusalem Post. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  15. ↑ "New exhibits at Hostage Square make Tel Aviv Museum a healing space". The Jerusalem Post. January 21, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Hostages' families find all the services they need in one Tel Aviv building". Jewish Insider. 2023-12-08. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  17. 1 2 Monka, Basia (2024-10-09). "Three artists, three questions: One year since Oct. 7". The Jerusalem Post. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  18. ↑ ברנע, רעות (November 3, 2023). "תל אביב התמלאה במיצבי אמנות כואבים ומצמררים. המדריך המלא" [Tel Aviv was filled with painful and chilling art installations. The complete guide]. תל אביב התמלאה במיצבי אמנות כואבים ומצמררים. המדריך המלא - טיים אאוט. TimeOut. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023.
  19. ↑ קמר, אסף (January 23, 2024). "כך כיכר החטופים הפכה לתחנת חובה עבור כל מי שמבקר בישראל" [This is how Hatufim Square became a must-see stop for anyone visiting Israel]. Ynet. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024.
  20. 1 2 Steinberg, Jessica (2024-01-14). "'Enough!': 120,000 attend 24-hour rally for hostages' release after 100 days in Gaza". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  21. ↑ ""100 ימים בגיהנום": עצרת בת"א ל-24 שעות, חברות ענק ישבתו מחר" ["100 Days in Hell": 24-hour rally in Tel Aviv, huge companies to strike tomorrow] (in Hebrew). Channel 13. January 13, 2024. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Hostage families rally to demand deal on 700th day of loved ones' captivity". The Times of Israel. 2025-09-05. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-10-09.
  23. ↑ Steinberg, Jessica (2023-11-13). "Hand in hand, women demand global stand against Hamas crimes". Times of Israel. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  24. ↑ "נרגשים מהשחרור הראשון ומצפים לבאים: צפו בתמונות המרגשות מכיכר החטופים" [Excited about the first release and looking forward to the next ones: Watch the moving photos from the Kidnappers' Square] (in Hebrew). Ma'ariv. November 24, 2023. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Tel Aviv rally for hostages draws 100,000 to mark '50 days of hell' since October 7". The Times of Israel. 2023-11-26.
  26. ↑ "Hostage release rally draws an estimated 100,000 to center of Tel Aviv". The Jerusalem Post. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  27. ↑ Rudoren, Jodi (2023-12-03). "'Overwhelmed with joy and sadness': Freed hostages speak publicly for first time at Tel Aviv rally". The Forward. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  28. ↑ Lidor, Canaan (9 March 2024). "Former captive slams timing of anti-government protest at Hostages Square rally". The Times of Israel. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  29. 1 2 "136 ישראלים, כבר 100 ימים בשבי: רבבות בעצרת למען החטופים בת"א" [136 Israelis, 100 days in captivity: Tens of thousands rally for the kidnapped in Tel Aviv] (in Hebrew). Channel 13. January 13, 2024. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024.
  30. ↑ Ciechanover, Yael (2024-01-14). "Israelis mark 100 since war, hostages taken". ynetnews. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  31. ↑ צ'כנובר, יעל (March 23, 2024). ""שנזכה לשחרורם": אלפים השתתפו בקריאת מגילת אסתר בכיכר החטופים" ["May we deserve their release": Thousands participated in the reading of the Book of Esther at Hatufim Square]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on March 23, 2024.
  32. ↑ Dvir, Noam (March 30, 2024). ""נשרוף את המדינה": אלפים צעדו לאחר פיצוץ העצרת בכיכר החטופים; שוטרים התעמתו עם מפגינים | צפו" ["We will burn the country": Thousands marched after the explosion at the rally in Hatufim Square; police clashed with protesters] (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on March 30, 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  33. ↑ "Emotions run high in Tel Aviv's 'Hostages Square'". www.msn.com. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  34. ↑ Lehmann, Noam (19 January 2025). "Crowds erupt in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square as captives arrive back in Israel". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  35. ↑ "Witkoff meets freed soldiers, ex-hostages, officials, stresses commitment to full deal". The Times of Israel. January 30, 2025.
  36. ↑ תורג'מן, מאיר (February 10, 2025). "יום הולדת לאלון אהל בכיכר החטופים: "מנהיגים מכל העולם התקשרו, רק הממשלה שלנו לא"" [Alon Ohel's birthday at Hatufim Square: "Leaders from all over the world called, only our government didn't"]. Ynet. Archived from the original on March 8, 2025.
  37. ↑ "'600 days of failure': Thousands join nationwide rallies urging hostages' release". The Times of Israel. May 29, 2025. Archived from the original on May 29, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Rallies call for hostage deal as Israel, Hamas continue to wrangle over terms". Times of Israel. May 31, 2025. Archived from the original on May 31, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Israelis erupt in joy as last living hostages released after 738 days in Gaza". Times of Israel. 13 October 2025.
  40. ↑ "Hostages Square clock stopped after 843 days". Jerusalem Post. 27 January 2026.
  41. ↑ Hostages Square becomes the official name of Tel Aviv plaza that was the epicenter of a yearslong struggle

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