The Hostages and Missing Families Forum launched a 500-minute fast marking the Gaza war's 500th day, as 73 Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity since Oct. 7, 2023. The fast, representing one minute for each day of captivity, aims to raise awareness of the hostages' ongoing ordeal. The protest began at 11:40 a.m. Israel time and will conclude at 8 p.m. with a rally at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square.
Displays were set up across Israel, from the southern Kibbutz Nir Oz – which saw 76 of its members kidnapped into Gaza – to Tel Aviv's beach. Nir Oz's community members set up a silent protest, featuring protesters chained and blindfolded, calling for the release of all hostages. In Tel Aviv, huge signs of the numbers 73 and 500 – representing the number of hostages in Gaza and the days that have passed since Oct. 7 – were put up in front of the US Embassy.
"After 500 days of this torment, of this catastrophe we are going through, we've chosen to commemorate this day by fasting," Udi Goren, the cousin of hostage Tal Haimi who was murdered on Oct. 7 and kidnapped by Hamas, told Israel Hayom. "Fasting means that we're grieving. We are grieving that there are people who are going through this torture for 500 days straight. It's not only the hostages themselves but also the families of the hostages – both the living hostages and the deceased. We are inviting everybody in Israel to join us and stand with us in solidarity."
