Families of hostages held in Gaza set up a visual protest outside the United States Embassy branch in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, calling on US President Donald Trump to use American leverage to finalize a deal that would bring the hostages home and end the war.
The families arranged a display that included a large table with a mock “Hostage Return Agreement,” a symbolic Nobel Peace Prize certificate, and oversized coins with Trump’s face. The setup was meant to look like a signing ceremony, underscoring what they described as a “historic opportunity” for the US president.
“This is your moment,” said Dalia Cusnir, sister-in-law of hostage Eitan Horn. “Imagine if today were the day 48 hostages came home. Imagine if today were the day the war ended. Hamas has already signaled its willingness. What stands in the way now is delay and political maneuvering from our own government. Do not let this opportunity slip away.”
Ruby Chen, whose son Itay is among the hostages and also holds US citizenship, said Trump has a direct obligation. “Mr. President, there are American hostages in Gaza, including my son,” he said. “You are the only person in the world who can end our suffering. Demand both Israel and Hamas close the deal. The bottleneck for peace and for your vision of the Middle East is the release of the hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.”
Gil Dickmann, the cousin of hostage Carmel Gat, who was murdered in captivity last year, urged Trump to act quickly.
“We warned that invading Rafah could kill her. Bibi did not listen. He said the war would save the hostages. It killed 42 of them. We must end it before it kills more,” he said. “President Trump, you wrote The Art of the Deal. Today, we are asking you to make the ultimate deal. The deal on the table is your deal. Only you can close it.”
Hostage families to Trump: 'Make history'
Signs at the protest read: “Bring them home. End the war. Make history.”
The families said that about 80% of Israelis support a deal and accused the government of blocking progress, appealing to Trump to pressure both Israel and Hamas to finalize an agreement.