Yona Schnitzer, a marketing writer from Tel Aviv, attended a Passover Seder meal last year and prayed for the return of all the hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza. However, as of Passover 2025, their freedom had not been secured. This has left many Israelis feeling saddened and frustrated, as the captivity of these hostages has become normalized. Despite the festive nature of Passover, the continuing captivity has made it difficult for many Israelis to feel joy during the holiday.
The Israeli government has stated that it believes 24 of the 59 remaining hostages are still alive. During the recent Passover celebration, Hamas released a video of one of the hostages, further increasing the pain of families waiting for their loved ones to return. Israeli and Hamas negotiators agreed to a ceasefire in January, with hopes of securing the freedom of the remaining hostages. However, the ceasefire broke down in March, leading to an increase in violence and the seizure of more territory in Gaza.
Advocates for the hostages are concerned that the recent offensive by the Israeli military is endangering the captives. More than three dozen hostages have been killed since the start of the war, either by their captors or by Israeli fire. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with more than 1,200 people killed in Israel and over 50,000 deaths in Gaza. The ceasefire breakdown has led to more than 1,500 deaths in Gaza alone, highlighting the ongoing crisis in the region.
One family deeply affected by the hostage situation is the Miran family, whose son, Omri Miran, was taken by Palestinian militants in 2023. His father, Dani Miran, is planning a simple Seder with his family, hoping for his son’s safe return. Omri’s wife and daughters were initially held at gunpoint but only he was forced to Gaza. The Hostages Families Forum is calling on Israelis to hold Seders in a public square known as “Hostages Square” as a show of support for the captives.
Odie Arbel, a resident of Kibbutz Yiftah, is using a hostage-themed Haggadah during the Seder to highlight the plight of the hostages. Many Israelis believe that freeing the hostages is more important than removing Hamas from power, according to a recent survey. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the war will not end until Hamas is dismantled, while Hamas insists on a permanent end to the conflict for the release of the hostages. Mr. Arbel, while reflecting on the hostages this Passover, is also mindful of the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
As Israelis mark Passover amid the ongoing hostage crisis, the plight of the captives weighs heavily on the hearts of many. Families of the hostages continue to hope and pray for their loved ones’ safe return, while advocates work tirelessly to raise awareness of the situation. The conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of abating, leaving many feeling frustrated and unsure of when the hostages will be released. As the world watches, the hope for peace and freedom for all remains a distant but vital goal in the region.
