Hostages Square
{{Short description|Public square in Tel Aviv, Israel}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Hostages Square
| native_name = כיכר החטופים
| native_name_lang = he
| photo = File:Hostages Square 071123 01.jpg
| photo_width =
| photo_caption =
| type =
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 13
| mapframe-caption = Interactive fullscreen map
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| location = Tel Aviv, Israel
| coordinates = {{Coord|32.0770|34.7871|region:IL-TA_type:landmark|display=it}}
| area =
| created =
| operator =
| visitation_num =
| status = Open
}}
Hostages Square ({{langx|he|כיכר החטופים|Kikar HaChatofim}}) is a public plaza located in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Since the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, families of the hostages taken during the attack have encamped in the square, due to its proximity to the Israel Defense Forces headquarters. In addition, it has been the site of rallies and protests during the Gaza war calling for the release of the hostages.
History
The square, located on a public plaza located in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, received its current name following the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, when families of the hostages and their supporters started to encamp and gather there, given its proximity to the Israel Defense Forces headquarters.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-22 |title='A warm hug from grandma': In Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, families contemplate the expected release of 50 hostages |url=https://forward.com/news/570861/hostages-square-deal-release-kalderon-korngold-alon-ohel/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=The Forward |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-11-12 |title='A nightmare, we're not living': Tens of thousands rally for hostages' return |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-nightmare-were-not-living-tens-of-thousands-rally-for-hostages-return/}}{{Cite news |date=2023-12-03 |title=Israel-Hamas war: In Tel Aviv's 'Hostage Square,' euphoria has given way to fear |language=en |publisher=Le Monde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/12/03/israel-hamas-war-in-tel-aviv-s-hostage-square-euphoria-has-given-way-to-fear_6309105_4.html |access-date=2023-12-14}}
On November 3, 2023, a temporary "tent city" was set up in the square on behalf of the families of the kidnapped and missing.{{Cite web |title="נישן באוהל עד שהם יחזרו": משפחות החטופים לא מאבדות תקווה |trans-title="We'll sleep in a tent until they return": Families of the kidnapped do not lose hope |publisher=Ma'ariv |date=November 3, 2023 |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-1049657 |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103214722/https://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-1049657 |language=he}} These tents were set up at the site by kibbutzim in the western Negev, family members of the victims of the Nova music festival massacre, the Bnei Akiva movement, and by "Ayelet Hashachar", which belongs to the {{ill|Keren Wolfson Foundation|he|קרן וולפסון (זאב וולפסון)|lt=Wolfson Foundation}}.{{Cite web |title="סמל עבור רבים": כך הפכה "כיכר החטופים" לחלק בלתי נפרד מסיפור המלחמה |trans-title="A symbol for many": This is how "Kidnapped Square" became an integral part of the war story |publisher=Ma'ariv |date=December 6, 2023 |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-1057530 |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206084028/https://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-1057530 }}
The CEO of the Tel Aviv Museum has called the square a "direct and open line between the general public and the museum" due to the different art installations in the square and the displays in the museum.{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2024 |title=New exhibits at Hostage Square make Tel Aviv Museum a healing space |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-783027 |access-date=April 4, 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post}} The square also hosts kiosks selling T-shirts, umbrellas and hoodies with the Bring Them Home Now logo, tents set up for gatherings and discussions and small stages for speeches and presentations.{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Jessica |date=25 December 2023 |title=2 evocative exhibits go up in Tel Aviv museum, as battle for hostages is waged outside |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-evocative-exhibits-go-up-in-tel-aviv-museum-as-battle-for-hostages-is-waged-outside/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Jessica |date=12 January 2025 |title=Making hostages a centerpiece, a Tel Aviv museum becomes a showcase for wartime agility |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/making-hostages-a-centerpiece-a-tel-aviv-museum-becomes-a-showcase-for-wartime-agility/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}} Some tents have representatives of the kibbutz which were attacked and hostages taken from, with surviving members of the kibbutz manning the tents to speak with visitors and press. Posters of those kidnapped from the kibbutz are hung in the tents as well.{{Cite web |last=Leichman |first=Abigail Klein |date=2024-03-07 |title=Bearing the pain of Hostage Square: Tales from the Heart |url=https://www.israel21c.org/bearing-the-pain-of-hostage-square-tales-from-the-heart/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=ISRAEL21c |language=en-US}}
An electronic screen was installed as well that counts the number of days, hours, minutes and seconds it has been since the 7 October attacks.
= Art installations =
File:Shabbat Dinner table representing the hostages and missing people, The October 7 attack.jpg
The square features art installations and banners highlighting the plight of the hostages and calling for their release.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Hostages' families find all the services they need in one Tel Aviv building |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2023/12/israel-hostages-and-missing-persons-families-forum-gaza-hamas/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Jewish Insider}}{{Cite web |last=Monka |first=Basia |date=2024-10-09 |title=Three artists, three questions: One year since Oct. 7 |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-822879 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}
Some pieces were created for events that were to take place after the October 7 attacks, like the large metal and wood female face sculpture by Nitzan Peled and Gidi Galor. The incomplete sculpture had survived the attack on the Be'eri kibbutz and was moved to Arugot to be completed before being installed at the square.
One of the art pieces is an empty Shabbat dinner table that held an empty seat for each of the missing hostages.{{Cite news |last1=Sabbagh |first1=Dan |last2=Sinmaz |first2=Emine |last3=Kierszenbaum |first3=Quique |date=2023-11-24 |title='It brings hope': in Tel Aviv plaza, cheers greet news of hostage release |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/24/israel-tel-aviv-plaza-cheers-greet-news-of-hostage-release |access-date=2023-12-30 |issn=0261-3077}} It was the first art piece that was created and placed in the square.
In January 2024, A 25-meter mock Hamas tunnel was erected in the square, which has a narrow and dimly lit passage that attendees and walk through. Inside the tunnel, there are loudspeakers that repeat the names of the hostages and messages from their families to their captured loved ones. The sounds of distant gunfire is also played to simulate the dire conditions of the hostages.{{Cite web |title="100 ימים בגיהנום": עצרת בת"א ל-24 שעות, חברות ענק ישבתו מחר |trans-title="100 Days in Hell": 24-hour rally in Tel Aviv, huge companies to strike tomorrow |publisher=Channel 13 |date=January 13, 2024 |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/news/domestic/internal/rbkhc-903890116/ |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113141109/https://13tv.co.il/item/news/domestic/internal/rbkhc-903890116/ |language=he }}
Other art pieces include the {{ill|Empty Yellow Chairs (art installation)|he|מיצב הכיסא הצהוב הריק|lt=Empty Yellow Chairs}} installation, where yellow signifies solidarity with the hostages and their families. There is also an installation of mirrors around a pre-war art installation {{ill|The Binding of Isaac (art installation)|he|עקדת יצחק (קדישמן)|lt=The Binding of Isaac}} created by Menashe Kadishman.{{Cite web |title=תל אביב התמלאה במיצבי אמנות כואבים ומצמררים. המדריך המלא |trans-title=Tel Aviv was filled with painful and chilling art installations. The complete guide |publisher=TimeOut |date=November 3, 2023 |url=https://timeout.co.il/%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%9F-%D7%94%D7%97%D7%98%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%9D/ |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205150646/https://timeout.co.il/%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%9F-%D7%94%D7%97%D7%98%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%9D/ }}{{Cite web |title=כך כיכר החטופים הפכה לתחנת חובה עבור כל מי שמבקר בישראל |trans-title=This is how Hatufim Square became a must-see stop for anyone visiting Israel |publisher=Ynet |date=January 23, 2024 |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/vacation/flights/article/bkmz3qptp |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123213528/https://www.ynet.co.il/vacation/flights/article/bkmz3qptp }}
A Tree of Wishes was installed in the square with cards or tags that were decorated and written on by Jewish school children around the world. The tags were created in connection with the UnitEd program of the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism and included 650 schools worldwide.
= Rallies =
The square has been the site of weekly rallies held by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum since the hostages were taken, with antigovernmental rallies held nearby since about early 2024.{{Cite web |last=Lidor |first=Canaan |date=9 March 2024 |title=Former captive slams timing of anti-government protest at Hostages Square rally |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/former-captive-slams-timing-of-anti-government-protest-at-hostages-square-rally/ |access-date=April 4, 2024 |website=The Times of Israel}}
On 12 November 2023, Arab-Israeli newscaster Lucy Aharish led a rally with over 1,000 women in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv calling for the release of the more than 100 women among the hostages taken by Hamas during the attack and the sexual violence committed on October 7. Speakers such as Cochav Elkayam-Levy, model Linor Abargil, newscaster {{ill|Linoy Bar-Geffen|he|לינוי בר-גפן}}, athlete Yarden Gerbi, and singer Rita also called out the silence of 268 women's organizations over the sexual violence and the status of the hostages.{{cite news |last1=Steinberg |first1=Jessica |title=Hand in hand, women demand global stand against Hamas crimes |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hand-in-hand-women-demand-global-stand-against-hamas-crimes/ |access-date=31 March 2024 |work=Times of Israel |date=2023-11-13}}
On 24 November, a large scale Shabbat service was held at the square in response to the hostage release that day. Those in attendance included cabinet minister Benny Gantz.{{Cite web |title=נרגשים מהשחרור הראשון ומצפים לבאים: צפו בתמונות המרגשות מכיכר החטופים |trans-title=Excited about the first release and looking forward to the next ones: Watch the moving photos from the Kidnappers' Square |publisher=Ma'ariv |date=November 24, 2023 |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-1054702 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124151857/https://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-1054702 |language=he }} The next day, some 100,000 people rallied at Hostages Square to mark "50 Days of Hell" since the Hamas assault and hostage-taking.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-26 |title=Tel Aviv rally for hostages draws 100,000 to mark '50 days of hell' since October 7 |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/tel-aviv-rally-for-hostages-draws-100000-to-mark-50-days-of-hell-since-october-7/}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-25 |title=Hostage release rally draws an estimated 100,000 to center of Tel Aviv |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-775116 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=The Jerusalem Post}} In early December 2023 thousands of people gathered at the square to demand the return of the hostages that were taken. In attendance and some of the speakers were prior hostages that had been returned to Israel as part of the temporary cease fire and exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinians that occurred in the end of November.{{Cite web |last=Rudoren |first=Jodi |date=2023-12-03 |title='Overwhelmed with joy and sadness': Freed hostages speak publicly for first time at Tel Aviv rally |url=https://forward.com/news/571958/israeli-hostages-speak-tel-aviv-rally/ |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=The Forward |language=en}}
On the evening of 13 January 2024, an estimated 120,000 people attended the beginning of a 24-hour rally in the square to mark 100 days since the October 7th attacks in southern Israel. Speakers included relatives of the approximately 132 hostages still in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron, US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew, former president of the Israeli Supreme Court Dorit Beinisch, Nobel Prize laureate Aaron Ciechanover and Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau.{{Cite web |title=136 ישראלים, כבר 100 ימים בשבי: רבבות בעצרת למען החטופים בת"א |trans-title=136 Israelis, 100 days in captivity: Tens of thousands rally for the kidnapped in Tel Aviv |publisher=Channel 13 |date=January 13, 2024 |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/news/domestic/internal/rbkhc-903890116/ |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226210212/https://13tv.co.il/item/news/domestic/internal/rbkhc-903890116/ |language=he }} Family members warned that time was running out to save their relatives, and expressed frustration with the government for not doing enough to save them. Despite heavy rain, fifty artists also performed throughout the night and publicly spoke to demand the release of the hostages.{{cite news | last=Ciechanover | first=Yael | title=Israelis mark 100 since war, hostages taken | website=ynetnews | date=2024-01-14 | url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkmxqxbkp | access-date=2024-01-14}}{{cite web | last=Steinberg | first=Jessica |title='Enough!': 120,000 attend 24-hour rally for hostages' release after 100 days in Gaza | website=The Times of Israel | date=2024-01-14 | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/were-done-enough-120k-attend-24-hour-rally-marking-100-days-since-hostages-taken/ | access-date=2024-01-14}} These included Sarit Hadad, {{ill|Itay Levi|he|איתי לוי}}, Ran Danker, Ehud Banai, Jasmin Moallem, {{ill|Ilai Boṭner|he|עילי בוטנר}}, Zehava Ben and {{ill|Amir Dadon|he|אמיר דדון}}.
On 23 March during Purim, a {{ill|Megillah reading|he|מקרא מגילה|lt=reading}} of the Book of Esther was held in the square, led by the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization and Rabbi Kenneth Brander, the Rosh yeshiva of the Ohr Torah Stone. Shai Gabso also performed during the event.{{Cite web |title=
"שנזכה לשחרורם": אלפים השתתפו בקריאת מגילת אסתר בכיכר החטופים |trans-title="May we deserve their release": Thousands participated in the reading of the Book of Esther at Hatufim Square |publisher=Ynet |date=March 23, 2024 |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/judaism/article/bkbnzzjc6 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323195127/https://www.ynet.co.il/judaism/article/bkbnzzjc6 |language=he }}
On 30 March, after a rally in the square family members of hostages left the square and marched towards the Kirya with anti-government protestors from the Kaplan protest joining the marchers. Israeli police declared the march to be illegal and it reportedly became violent with family members microphones being turned off at Begin Bridge.{{Cite web |last=Dvir |first=Noam |date=March 30, 2024 |title="נשרוף את המדינה": אלפים צעדו לאחר פיצוץ העצרת בכיכר החטופים; שוטרים התעמתו עם מפגינים {{!}} צפו |trans-title="We will burn the country": Thousands marched after the explosion at the rally in Hatufim Square; police clashed with protesters |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/15513005 |access-date=2025-02-03 |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330170358/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/15513005 |language=he }}
In January 2025, the square was used to stream live transmissions of released hostages being turned over to the IDF during the 2025 ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Pictures of those released were hung throughout the square. During the first release of the ceasefire, roughly 2,000 people watched the release of the hostages on large screens, with yellow balloons released into the air once the hostages were confirmed to be back in Israel.{{Cite web |date=1 February 2025 |title=Emotions run high in Tel Aviv's 'Hostages Square' |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/emotions-run-high-in-tel-avivs-hostages-square/ar-AA1yeKG0?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.msn.com}}{{Cite web |last=Lehmann |first=Noam |date=19 January 2025 |title=Crowds erupt in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square as captives arrive back in Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/crowds-erupt-in-tel-avivs-hostages-square-as-captives-arrive-back-in-israel/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}
On 30 January, 2025, US Special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff visited Hostages Square and met with released hostages and family members of the remaining hostages.{{Cite web |title=Witkoff meets freed soldiers, ex-hostages, officials, stresses commitment to full deal |publisher=The Times of Israel |date=January 30, 2025 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-envoy-witkoff-meets-israeli-officials-freed-soldiers-reiterates-commitment-to-deal/ }}
On 10 February, 2025, an event was held at the square to commemorate the 24th birthday of {{ill|Alon Ohel|he|אלון אהל}}, which was his second birthday while in captivity in Gaza. During the event, his family members called for his release, and Ivri Lider performed a song for the family.{{Cite web |title=יום הולדת לאלון אהל בכיכר החטופים: "מנהיגים מכל העולם התקשרו, רק הממשלה שלנו לא" |trans-title=Alon Ohel's birthday at Hatufim Square: "Leaders from all over the world called, only our government didn't" |publisher=Ynet |date=February 10, 2025 |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/s1ualipkkx |archive-date=March 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308095655/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/s1ualipkkx }}
On 28 May, 2025, thousands of protesters gathered at the square to mark 600 days of war and hostage crisis. The rally included speeches from Lior Ashkenazi, released hostages recounting their stories while in captivity, and families of remaining hostages calling for their release.{{Cite web |title=‘600 days of failure’: Thousands join nationwide rallies urging hostages’ release |date=May 29, 2025 |publisher=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/600-days-of-failure-thousands-join-nationwide-rallies-urging-hostages-release/ |archive-date=May 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529034710/https://www.timesofisrael.com/600-days-of-failure-thousands-join-nationwide-rallies-urging-hostages-release/ }}
On 31 May during Shavuot, Israelis held rallies nationwide to demand a ceasefire and hostage release deal amidst diplomatic efforts from the United States to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.{{Cite web |title=What we know about the US ceasefire proposal for Gaza |date=May 30, 2025 |publisher=France24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250530-what-we-know-about-the-us-ceasefire-proposal-for-gaza |archive-date=May 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530095024/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250530-what-we-know-about-the-us-ceasefire-proposal-for-gaza }} This included a rally at the square hosted by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, where former hostages and family members of remaining hostages addressed the crowd and called for the return of all hostages.{{Cite web |title=Rallies call for hostage deal as Israel, Hamas continue to wrangle over terms |date=May 31, 2025 |publisher=Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/rallies-to-be-held-for-hostage-deal-as-israel-hamas-continue-to-wrangle-over-terms/ |archive-date=May 31, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531221704/https://www.timesofisrael.com/rallies-to-be-held-for-hostage-deal-as-israel-hamas-continue-to-wrangle-over-terms/ }}
Gallery
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons-inline}}
{{Gaza war}}
{{Squares in Tel Aviv}}
Category:Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis