Three Israelis who were freed from Hamas captivity in January and February have joined the weekly rallies in Tel Aviv, calling for the return of those who remain in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

Liri Albag, Omer Wenkert and Gadi Mozes all criticised the renewed fighting in the Palestinian enclave, expressing fear that the offensive could endanger the lives of the remaining captives, according to the Times of Israel.

Albag said “any return to fighting endangers the hostages” and that whenever the Israeli air force strikes Gaza, the captives are the first to pay the price.

The soldier, who was taken from the Nahal Oz base, went on to recount the moment when the first truce deal collapsed in November 2023.

“I collapsed too,” she said. “I remember that moment. One moment when everything that held us together shattered. We were sure we were leaving home. We were sure this nightmare was over. The doors didn’t open. And the nightmare continued.”

She added, “There is no victory, no victory. Without all 59 hostages at home!”

Wenkert, who was captured from the Nova music festival, said he was starved, humiliated and beaten for 505 days and that out of those, he was held alone for 197 days.

He said he almost lost his mind. “I’m not really here. Only half of me is standing here,” he continued. “Part of us is still captive in Gaza.”

“Prime Minister Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, it’s on you to get them back,” he added. “I turn to you, leaders of the country, and reiterate: don’t look away. Look at us. See the tears in our eyes.”

Opinion

Editorial

A new deal
Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...
Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...