New Yorkers attended an emotional vigil Sunday night in Columbus Circle after Israeli officials confirmed that bodies of six hostages had been recovered.
The Israeli military said they were killed under the captivity of Hamas.
The individuals include Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Alex Lobanov and Ori Danino.
“My upset, my frustration, my feeling is though enough is enough,” said Allison Frank, a Manhattan resident.
Some of the people in attendance voiced concerns about their family in Israel as the war continues.
“My in-laws are all Israeli,” Ruth Weinberger said. “They live in Israel, and it’s not right what is happening. We need to show that we stand with the hostages.”
Officials said all six hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces arrived. The bodies were found in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, officials said.
“I wish to God that we were not here in mourning,” Rabbi David Kalb of Ohr Torah Stone said. “I wish we were here in celebration of the release of these hostages. I wish all the hostages would come home immediately.”
Israeli officials believe 101 hostages remain in captivity. It has been 331 days since Oct. 7, when Hamas kidnapped some 250 hostages during its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Israel-Hamas war.
An Israeli official said three of the hostages — Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi and Gat — had been slated to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July.
Frank shared what she hopes to see for the future.
“I do think it’s time for [Benjamin] Netanyahu to be accountable and to make some changes,” she said of the Israeli prime minister.
Another vigil was held Sunday morning where organizers called for an end to the war.