Former Gaza hostages and family members of captives joined thousands at Jerusalem’s Western Wall for slihot on Saturday night.
An additional mass slihot service was held at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.
The Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, led a collective prayer for the return of the remaining 48 hostages held in Gaza, for the safety of Israel’s security forces, and for peace.
"My God, I have one prayer to You: For the return of the 48 hostages to the land of Israel and for the return of the IDF soldiers to the safety of their homes. Am Yisrael Chai," Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, wrote in a note she left in the cracks of the Wall.
Former hostage Kieth Siegel asks Trump to push for deal
Last month, former hostage Keith Siegel addressed US President Donald Trump in a video statement from the Western Wall, where he urged the president to reach a deal.
“President Trump, I am standing here in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, the holiest place on earth for the Jewish people, at the Western Wall, where tens of thousands of people have gathered tonight to pray for the safe return of all of the hostages – the hostages that are alive and the deceased hostages.”
Siegel called on the US president to “bring an agreement together with Israel, the Israeli government. I trust that you can reach an agreement that will bring all of the 50 hostages home as soon as possible. Thank you.”