Hundreds participated in the "For the Smile" hike on the Israel Trail in memory of soldier Hadar Goldin, whose body is being held by Hamas in Gaza.
The hike take place biannually, during the intermediate days of Sukkot and Passover.
This time, participants hiked through the lower Amud Stream.
Among the participants were students studying in various pre-military academies. As they hiked, small groups discussed for over an hour what the concept of "Israeli leadership" means.
The hike ended near the Ein Nun pool, where the gathering sang songs and Goldin's father Simcha spoke about the need for the Israeli government to change its policies regarding missing soldiers.
"The Israeli government must not allow itself to miss another opportunity to bring Hadar, Oron Shaul, and the other civilians home," Simcha Goldin said. "The most effective way to do this would be for the State of Israel to condition any humanitarian aid to Gaza on the return of Israel's soldiers and citizens."
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu publicized on Sunday a pre-Yom Kippur (day of Atonement) meeting with the Goldin and Shaul families. According to a diplomatic source, the meeting was attended by Netanyahu's IDF secretary and the head of the IDF's unit for injured soldiers.
The source also said Netanyahu is looking to hire a new coordinator to handle the issues of captured and missing IDF soldiers, and that Netanyahu discusses the issue at every diplomatic meeting.
Lior Lotan, the Prime Minister's coordinator for captives and missing persons, stepped down in August after three years in which he voluntarily held the position.