by Jerusalem Post Staff
Multiple White House officials joined the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in the sukkah to advocate for the release of all 48 remaining hostages.
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The Hostages and Missing Families Forum held a commemorative breakfast at the “Sukkah of Hope” to commemorate the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 massacre, the forum confirmed.
In addition, US President Donald Trump hosted Edan Alexander and his family, and the family of Omer Neutra, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists, who are still holding his remains hostage in the Gaza Strip.
On the 2nd anniversary of October 7th, President Trump met with Edan Alexander and his family, and the family of Omer Neutra, whose body is still in Gaza. 💛 pic.twitter.com/jFw2nVVQax
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 7, 2025
"You have all inspired us. President Trump is committed to putting this tragedy to an end. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to the region shortly to help bring this matter to a close. I am confident and hopeful that the next time we gather here, it will be to remember that tragic day - with all 48 hostages home," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the breakfast.
"Almost all Cabinet members gathered here today to support the urgent call of President Trump, survivors and hostages’ families to release all the hostages now. We are in critical days and we trust Ambassador Wittkoff and the team in Egypt to finalize this agreement for a better future in the Middle East," Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick added.
Freed hostages, relatives of captives, speak out
Freed hostages and relatives of those still held in captivity also spoke at the event."I am especially grateful to President Trump for his support and commitment to the hostage deal since the day he was elected. I miss Avinatan more with every passing day. I hold onto hope, every single day, that this nightmare will end soon, and we’ll finally get to live the life we’ve dreamed of," freed hostage Noa Argamani said.
"When the first deal collapsed, I was told I was going home. I believed it. For a moment, I felt hope. But then the sounds of war returned, and I knew it was over. The despair was crushing," freed hostage Doron Steinbrecher said.
"After 471 days, I walked out of Gaza. But even now, I cannot truly move on. For us, there is no ‘after.’ The trauma follows you. It lives in your body. And as long as others remain in Gaza, a part of me remains there too. I cannot fully begin to heal while they are still suffering," she added.
"I will forever be grateful to President Trump for saving my life and getting me home to my family, to my loved ones. Only because of your courage and determination, Mr. President, I stand here today," Arbel Yehoud said.
Yehoud is a freed hostage, and partner of Ariel Cunio, who is still held in terror captivity.
"I dare to ask, please, bring back my Ariel, his brother David, and all the remaining hostages. They must come home. Now," she added.
"I came because it’s not over until it’s over - until every one of them is released from Hamas’s tunnels," Lishay Miran-Lavi said.
Miran-Lavi survived the October 7 massacre, and her husband Omri Miran is still held captive by Hamas terrorists.
"Until Omri and the 47 others are home. This deal ensures that every hostage will be released within the first 72 hours. Israel has already agreed. Hamas claims it has too. Now it is time to act. No more politics. No more excuses. No more delays," she added.
"On October 7th, 251 innocent people were kidnapped to Gaza. 42 were killed and murdered in captivity. In the past 2 years, through diplomacy and negotiations, 140 hostages have been brought back. I am here, standing in front of you today as a result of a life saving agreement. That agreement was secured through leaders who made it a priority," freed hostage, and dual Israeli-US citizen Keith Siegel said.
"President Trump, please, don’t stop now. You’ve brought us this far. Finish what you started, what we know and trust you can. Bring my brothers home. Bring all of the hostages home. Let this be the moment the world finally acts with courage and compassion. For those still alive who are waiting to be freed, and for those who must be given the dignity of a proper burial," Liran Berman, brother of twins Gali and Ziv, who are both still held hostage in Gaza, said.
"We are now witnessing a historic and critical moment like never before. A moment that will define the future of the Middle East, the future of Israel, the future of what is right and just, a moment that can save lives! We must remain hopeful, but not be complacent until a deal is signed," Nadav Rudaeff said. Rudaeff is the son of Lior, who was murdered during the October 7 massacre, and whose remains are still held by terrorists in Gaza.
"Since returning, I have carried the weight of freedom and the heavier weight of separation," freed hostage Iair Horn said.
Horn is the brother of Eitan Horn, who is still held captive.
"I cannot be truly free while Eitan is still underground. There is a deal on the table. A deal that can end this war, that can bring the hostages home. We have already lived through two years of pain. We cannot allow this deal to collapse. Not again. This must be the moment when families are reunited, when a nation begins to heal, when the nightmare ends," he added.
"We have seen bold leadership in recent days - leadership willing to act with clarity, urgency, and strength. President Trump has demonstrated that kind of courage - understanding that resolving the hostage crisis is not just a humanitarian necessity but the key to stability and peace," Orna and Ronen Neutra, parents of Omer, said.
"Under the current deal, Israel would receive all 48 hostages within few days of the agreement’s approval. That is not just a line in a document - that is 20 living individuals who will be free from hell and 48 families who may finally wake up from this nightmare," Yotam Cohen, brother of abducted IDF soldier Nimrod Cohen said.
Omer Neutra was Nimrod Cohen's commander in the IDF's Armored Corps. Cohen was abducted from a burning tank, while Neutra, along with Oz Daniel and Shaked Dahan were murdered by Hamas.
"I’m a testimony that bringing them home is possible," freed hostage Ilana Gritzewsky said.
She is the partner of Matan Zangauker, who is still held by terrorists.
"We won’t let them wait any longer. They have no time. We must continue all the efforts to get them back with a deal. People in Israel want this war to end."
Jerusalem Post Staff
Source: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-869691
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