The square hosts kiosks selling merchandise with the "Bring Them Home Now" logo, tents for gatherings and discussions, and small stages for speeches.[7][8] Some tents are staffed by representatives and survivors from the attackedkibbutzim, who speak with visitors and display posters of their kidnapped members.[9] An electronic screen was installed that counts the time elapsed since the October 7 attacks.[9] After the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage held in Gaza, were recovered on 26 January 2026, a ceremony was held and the counter was stopped at 843 days.[10]
The CEO of the Tel Aviv Museum has described the square as a "direct and open line between the general public and the museum," citing the connection between the art installations in the plaza and the exhibits inside.[11]
Art installations
A long table set up for aShabbat dinner to visualize the number of hostages held in the Gaza Strip
The square features art installations and banners highlighting the hostages' plight and calling for their release.[12][13]
One of the first pieces installed was an emptyShabbat dinner table, with an empty seat for each hostage.[4][8] Other works include theEmpty Yellow Chairs [he] installation, where the color yellow signifies solidarity. Mirrors were also installed around a pre-war sculpture,The Binding of Isaac [he] byMenashe Kadishman.[14][15]
Some pieces were repurposed for the square, such as a large metal and wood female face sculpture by Nitzan Peled and Gidi Galor. The incomplete work survived theBe'eri massacre and was moved toArugot for completion before its installation.[13]
In January 2024, a 25-meter mockHamas tunnel was erected. This narrow, dimly lit passage allows attendees to walk through while loudspeakers play the names of the hostages, messages from their families, and sounds of distant gunfire to simulate the conditions of captivity.[16][17]
In September 2025, to mark the 700th day of captivity, protesters displayed a large yellow SOS sign with an hourglass, symbolizing that time was running out. Attendees wore yellow and were led in a Friday evening prayer service by representatives from Gaza-border communities, hostage families, and released hostages.[18]
On 24 November, a largeShabbat service was held at the square following that day'shostage release. Attendees included cabinet ministerBenny Gantz.[20] The next day, approximately 100,000 people rallied to mark "50 Days of Hell" since the hostage-taking.[21][22]
In early December 2023, thousands gathered to demand the return of the remaining hostages. Speakers included recently freed hostages who had been released during the late-Novembertemporary ceasefire andprisoner exchange.[23]
On 30 March, after a rally in the square, family members of hostages marched towards theKirya, joined by anti-government protesters from the Kaplan protest. Israeli police declared the march illegal, and the event reportedly turned violent, with family members' microphones being cut off at the Begin Bridge.[28]
2025
Thousands of Israelis gathered at the square on 13 October 2025 to watch a split screen on ajumbotron of Trump visiting Israel and the release of hostages
In January 2025, the square was used to stream live transmissions of hostages being released to the IDF during the2025 ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Pictures of the released individuals were displayed throughout the square. During the first release, roughly 2,000 people watched the events on large screens, releasing yellow balloons into the air once the hostages were confirmed to be back in Israel.[29][30]
On 30 January, US Special Envoy to the Middle EastSteve Witkoff visited the square, meeting with released hostages and family members of those still in captivity.[31]
On 10 February, an event was held to commemorate the 24th birthday ofAlon Ohel, his second in captivity. His family called for his release, and singerIvri Lider performed for them.[32]
On 28 May, thousands gathered to mark 600 days of war and hostage crisis. The rally featured speeches from actorLior Ashkenazi, testimony from released hostages, and appeals from families of those still held.[33]
On 31 May, during the holiday ofShavuot, rallies were held nationwide to demand a ceasefire and hostage deal, coinciding with US diplomatic efforts. A rally at the square, hosted by theHostages and Missing Families Forum, featured speeches from former hostages and families of the remaining captives.[34]
On 13 October 2025, thousands of Israelis gathered at Hostages Square in celebration as the last 20 living hostages were released back into Israel following the implementation of theGaza peace plan.[35]
On 27 January 2026, following the return of the last hostage body and the end of theGaza war hostage crisis, the hostages clock at the square stopped counting, with the final count being 843 days.[36]
Gallery
A banner displaying a prayer for the return of captives[a]
"Our [collective] heart is being held captive in Gaza"
Explanation of "The Tunnel" in Hostages Square
A banner commemorating the victims of theOctober 7 attacks and hostages taken during the attacks with a timeline of events of the day
Crowds gather in celebration as the last living hostages are released
Notes
^The first 3 words on the banner (top row, from the right) are the first 3 words ofPsalm 107:14. The four other words in black roughtly translate as "and return them to their families as quickly as possible". The text in red says "and we shall say, 'Amen'"
^ברנע, רעות (November 3, 2023)."תל אביב התמלאה במיצבי אמנות כואבים ומצמררים. המדריך המלא" [Tel Aviv was filled with painful and chilling art installations. The complete guide].תל אביב התמלאה במיצבי אמנות כואבים ומצמררים. המדריך המלא - טיים אאוט. TimeOut. Archived fromthe original on December 5, 2023.
Media related toHostages Square at Wikimedia Commons
