Israelis turned out in multitudes on Saturday to rally for the release of the hostages in Gaza, and they left no doubt about whom they credited for the captives\u2019 imminent return.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Trump! Thank you, Trump!\u201d the crowds filling the Tel Aviv plaza known as Hostages Square chanted in English as Steve Witkoff, President Trump\u2019s Middle East envoy, spoke from the podium, flanked by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump\u2019s daughter and son-in-law.<\/p>\n
Mr. Witkoff spoke emotionally about the families of the hostages, saying their courage had affected him in ways he had never been before.<\/p>\n
\u201cI dreamed of this night,\u201d he said, alluding to the cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas that he and Mr. Kushner helped negotiate<\/a>, and that provides for the release of the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners by Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cI only wish the president was here,\u201d Mr. Witkoff added in his address, which was broadcast live on Israeli television. \u201cHe would love this.\u201d<\/p>\n Israelis have rallied in the thousands on Saturday nights for most of the past two years, demanding that all the captives still held in Gaza be brought back \u201cNow!\u201d<\/p>\n Those filling the square and the surrounding streets on Saturday night were hoping that this rally might be the last.<\/p>\n Under the terms of the cease-fire deal<\/a>, which came into effect at noon Friday<\/a>, all living hostages in Gaza should be returned to Israel within 72 hours. Israel believes that 20 of the hostages<\/a> held by Hamas are still alive.<\/p>\n \u201cOur struggle is not over and will not end until the last hostage returns home!\u201d said the Hostages Families Forum, an organization that has advocated for a hostage deal throughout the war and represents many of their families.<\/p>\n \u201cThe entire nation holds its breath in anticipation\u201d of the hostages\u2019 return, the group added.<\/p>\n Rallies were also taking place at other locations around Israel, including in a square in Jerusalem near the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.<\/p>\n In contrast to the enthusiasm and gratitude shown to Mr. Trump and his aides, however, the crowd in Tel Aviv greeted Mr. Witkoff\u2019s attempts to thank Mr. Netanyahu for his role in the cease-fire effort with loud boos.<\/p>\n