Hostages Square becomes official name in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv has formally made Hostages Square the official name of the plaza outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, where families and supporters rallied for two years to demand the return of Israelis abducted by Hamas.

The city unveiled the name on Wednesday. Mayor Ron Huldai said the square would remain a testament to the families, their struggle and the commitment not to give up on anyone.

The plaza became a focal point for weekly rallies after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Many protesters there called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal with Hamas to free the hostages. A US-brokered agreement was sealed in October last year.

The October 7 attack killed 1,221 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants took 251 hostages into Gaza, including 44 who were already dead, and 168 hostages returned alive.

Israel responded with a major offensive in Gaza. Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, says at least 73,388 people have been killed; the United Nations considers the ministry's figures reliable.