Several female former hostages met Israeli actress Gal Gadot on Tuesday, according to a press release from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Gadot met with former hostages Doron Steinbrecher, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Moran Stella Yanai, and Ilana Gritzewsky in Israel. In the meeting, the women shared their stories of captivity and expressed their gratitude for her activism.
“You’ve all been through incredibly difficult things, and I can’t believe you’re standing here today, continuing your lives and fighting for others," Gadot said.
'You are an inspiration, you are strength'
"Watching you carry the weight for those still in captivity — you are an inspiration, and you are strength. I hope with all my heart they all come home soon.”
The hostages emphasized the importance of continuing to speak out about those still remaining in captivity.
“Don’t stop. We must keep talking and keep them in people’s hearts and minds," said Doron Steinbrecher.
At the Jerusalem Film Festival, Gadot called for an end to the Israel-Hamas War.
“The most important thing all of us wish is that we can breathe again calmly, and we will be able to do that when the hostages return home."
Their meeting comes as Israeli and Palestinian delegations hold talks about a ceasefire and hostage deal.
Israel and its negotiating partners are still waiting for Hamas's response to the proposed deal presented by mediators last week.
N12 reported that Hamas is stalling talks, and that American mediators believe that "if there is no agreement this time, the blame will lie fully with Hamas."