The Nir Oz community gathered Friday morning in a special declaration marking 700 days since the war began. On October 7, 76 residents were kidnapped from Nir Oz, and nine of them are still being held in Gaza. The community emphasized: "We are living that same black day every day since, and we cannot heal as long as our loved ones have not returned."
Hostage survivor Iair Horn said: "I never imagined reaching day 700 when I'd have to stand here and ask for my brother, who's still kidnapped, to be returned. My friends who are still kidnapped. And we don't have enough hands to hold all these signs. That's why we're getting help from people who help us with their energy. Recently, I saw a report about Ron Arad's brother. I don't want to be like him. I want my brother now. I got to know Tzur Goldin, Hadar's brother, I don't want to be like Tzur Goldin. I want my brother now."
"I have a million stories about how much it is to be in hell. After 700 days, it no longer matters to anyone. I can say we didn't eat anything. There's no air to breathe in the tunnels, barely drinking water, and the water is salty. I understand it doesn't matter. It's okay to leave people in tunnels in captivity while they're suffering and we're here," he said. "I'm standing here now, but I'm still kidnapped in Gaza. All of Israel. Including the 48 kidnapped. Everyone is still kidnapped in Gaza."
Hostage survivor Arbel Yehoud said: "In captivity, every breath could be your last. For my Ariel, every day is like that. He's experiencing constant danger. All 48 kidnapped need us. So tomorrow will look different. So the nightmare will end. So we can rehabilitate each person under their family."
She addressed her partner: "I'm fighting together with our families to free you and everyone. An entire nation is fighting for them. We're not breaking and not giving up until you return to us."
Hostage survivor Ilana Gritzewsky said: "My Matan, I'm waiting for you with every breath and remembering you, not leaving you for a moment. I know you'll return to me. To mother and Shai, to Noni, and we'll be together again. We're not giving up on you. To all the kidnapped, you're not alone. The loneliness and spirit are with you. We're holding you and not letting you fall. Hold on. An entire nation wants to return you in a comprehensive deal in exchange for ending the war. The day we return to living freely and start anew is ahead of us. We'll bring you home."
Adina Moshe addressed the prime minister: "Release everyone! Only you can! Only Bibi! Only you can so do something with yourself."
Silvia Cunio said: "My children, David and Ariel, are alive. 700 is a number for me, but it's the longest October 7 in my life. 700 days in captivity in a terrible nightmare that no words can describe; they could have been here long ago, and only because of wretched politics, my children are suffering. My granddaughters, Emma and Yuli, are growing up in a nightmare because of wretched politics. My David, my Ariel, my Pepito, that's what I call them. I love you. Be strong, we're doing everything possible to bring you back."
Karina Engelbert said: "Four days after we returned from captivity, we received notice that Ronen isn't with us. 700 days we're waiting for him to return with the 48 other kidnapped, so we can finally be at peace on our land. We need everyone to be home. Put yourselves in our place for a second. Understand what it is to lose ourselves in one day. I'm still in that morning at 06:29. The time has come for the clock to move and this clock to pass. The time has come to finish."
