Tel Aviv formally names site ‘Hostages Square’

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai has formally named the plaza outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art ‘Hostages Square’. The site served as a central hub for rallies, vigils, and public demonstrations during the struggle to recover the 251 captives seized by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

The designation follows the return of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, on January 26, 2026. The decision to adopt the name settles a debate regarding whether the site should be renamed to reflect unity or the return of captives. Huldai stated that the name is intended to ensure this chapter of Israeli history is remembered for generations.

In a related development, former hostage Agam Berger, who was held for 482 days, has become a symbol of resilience. Following her return, a rabbi composed a ‘piyut’—a form of prayer-poetry—based on words she wrote while being transported from Gaza to a hospital in Petach Tikvah.