Jerusalem, October (HS): Families of Israeli hostages and their supporters gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem on Monday evening, marking the festival of Sukkot with shared prayers and a symbolic holiday meal, as they renewed calls for a deal to bring home loved ones held captive in Gaza.

The emotional gathering brought together families whose relatives were abducted during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, along with members of the pro-democracy protest movement. Beneath the temporary shelter of their Sukkah, participants prayed, sang, and urged Israel’s leadership to prioritize an agreement to secure the release of the remaining captives.

Ruby Chen, the father of Sgt. Itay Chen—whose body was taken to Gaza by Hamas two years ago—addressed the crowd, expressing hope that the government would finally act to heal the nation through peace and reconciliation.

“A hostage deal and an end to the war are what is needed to heal the country,” he said. “You understand that the moral thing, the Jewish thing to do, is to bring back our brothers and sisters from the hell they are in.

”Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan remains in captivity, offered a message of unity and resilience, declaring that families would not lose hope. “Together we will bring back everyone,” she said.

“And we won’t be afraid to wish chag sameach to the nation of Israel in its land and in the diaspora.”

The Sukkot gathering served as both a moment of faith and a silent plea — a call from grieving families that the return of their loved ones remain a national and moral priority.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar