Thousands gathered in New York's Central Park on Sunday to mark one year since Hamas’ October 7th attack on Israel and demand the return of the hostages.
Organized by the New York chapter of the Hostages Families Forum, the event featured a deeply emotional tribute, a "Fence of Hope" adorned with photos of the 101 hostages. Participants were invited to write messages of prayers and hopes for their safe return.
Yael Alexander, mother of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, said, "As a mother, I can't describe the pain of not knowing where your child is. Our hearts are broken, but we will never stop fighting for his return. The world must understand how urgent this is. It's been a year, and no humanitarian organization has been allowed to see them. We need a ceasefire for peace to begin and to start to heal as a nation and as people. We need action, and we need it now."
Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law of hostage Omri Miran, stated, "When you see me smile, know that I'm in pain. So many efforts, so many meetings, but they are still there. I'm sending what my sister shouted yesterday: forgiveness for all the hostages that we have abandoned you."
Added advocacy activist Stav Cohen, "Tomer Achimas was a dear friend of mine. Tomer was killed on October 7th, and his body has been held hostage since then. For 54 days, we didn't know what was happening there, and we learned what Tomer Achimas did there, how he helped everyone on that day. I keep thinking of our brothers and sisters still held hostage in those dark tunnels. I know what they are capable of. All of the world has an immediate duty to bring them home."
