Hamas captivity survivors, whose loved ones remain held in Gaza, delivered powerful testimonies at Hostages Square today. These former hostages, who were freed in the previous exchange deal, shared their harrowing experiences and stressed the critical urgency of securing the release of the remaining 100 hostages. They called for a comprehensive deal that would guarantee, from the outset, the return of every last hostage. Ilana Gritzewsky made a direct appeal to President Trump, urging him to "step in and end this war – bring all the hostages home." Sharon Aloni Cunio, who was kidnapped with her husband and two young daughters. David remains in captivity: "The hardest moment of my life came on the first day of the hostages deal: we were separated from David. We hugged him, and our daughters held onto him with their small hands, not understanding what this goodbye meant. He remained there, alone in the dark tunnels. Decision-makers must understand the scars and illnesses we returned with after just 52 days: pneumonia, infections, weight loss, unending fears and nightmares. Now imagine 438 days like this – what David is enduring there alone - a year without us? I stand here representing David, my daughters, and all the families whose worlds have crumbled. I demand the return of all 100 hostages. Now, before winter arrives, the hostages must return immediately for life-saving medical care. Their physical and mental weakness won't allow them to survive the coming winter. Please, don't leave anyone behind. Don't turn me into a widow and our daughters into orphans." Ilana Gritzewsky, girlfriend of Matan Zangauker, who remains in captivity: "For fifty-five days, I lived in hell. Fifty-five days of hunger, helplessness, humiliation, and fear. I was moved between apartments and tunnels, struggling to breathe, without a moment of hope. Every second there was etched into my body and soul. Every minute was a fight for survival. I stand here as a woman who returned from captivity. I know how that hell feels. I know what they're going through right now - you cannot abandon them for one more day. Make a deal. Now. A comprehensive deal. Leave no one behind. End this war in exchange for a deal! President Trump, you are a leader who knows how to win, how to turn the tide when all hope seems lost. Now is the moment to prove it. 100 hostages—men, women, children—are still being held in the depths of hell. My partner, my friends, and countless innocent lives are wasting away while the world stands silent. This is your chance to change history. Step in. End this war. Bring the hostages home. No words. No promises. Only action." Meirav Tal, girlfriend of the late Yair (Yaya) Yaakov, whose body remains in captivity: "The thought that I'm free and no longer moving between dark hideouts or tunnels takes me right back to that place, where I was kidnapped along with my beloved Yaya Yaakov's children - Or and Yagil. Yaya was murdered, and his body is still held in Gaza. I was there for 53 days during which the terrorists took everything from me: control over my will, what I could or couldn't do, when I could speak, when I could eat, drink, sleep and shower, when I could sit, lie down or stand - only my thoughts remained free – the one thing they couldn't take from me. We must not forget them. I was there, believe me. Forgetting them is killing them anew each day. Forgetting them means forgetting who we were, who we are, and who we want to be. Until Yaya and the last hostage are home, we cannot heal without them. We must bring back Yaya and all the hostages in a comprehensive deal that will close this chapter for all of us and allow healing and recovery to begin." Raz Ben Ami, wife of Ohad Ben-Ami: "We know the Red Cross hasn't seen or visited him, and just as I didn't receive medication for my condition, I have no doubt that Ohad isn't getting what he needs. He's likely only getting what I received - shouts and threats. I begged for the medical help I desperately needed; my health severely deteriorated there and continued to decline after my return because I didn't receive the medications I must take. Winter is here, it's cold, and there it's even colder. Even when conditions in Gaza were supposedly tolerable, it took a long time until we received blankets and warm clothing. The cold, combined with more than a year of nightmare in tunnels under bombardment, is unbearable. Medical research shows that in this cold, without protective layers, the human body cannot survive. We must remind everyone involved in negotiations that we cannot delay. Every day there is one day too many - 438 days and nights are an endless hell." Lena Troufanov, mother of Sasha Troufanov: "When I was in captivity, I never doubted I would get out. I was certain that the State of Israel would do everything to free us. For this feeling – that our country stands behind us and will do anything for us regardless of the cost – to remain alive for our children and grandchildren, we must bring everyone back. What protected us was this sense of solidarity, this feeling of national unity and that every person matters. Please save them all, leave no one behind – we don't abandon our wounded in the field."
