Families of Israeli hostages in Gaza made a poignant statement during the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, by leaving empty chairs at their dinner tables to symbolize the absence of their loved ones. The holiday, which began at sunset on Wednesday and ends at nightfall on Friday, has been clouded by the ongoing regional conflict, particularly as the first anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel approaches.
Amidst the festivities, some family members opted to hold an open-air banquet on Wednesday to both observe the holiday and advocate for the release of the hostages. It is estimated that around 100 individuals who were kidnapped by Hamas are still being held in Gaza, although the status of their well-being remains uncertain.
The Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza has resulted in a devastating toll, with over 41,000 lives lost in the Palestinian enclave and a deepening humanitarian crisis. The situation has escalated in recent weeks, with Israel conducting strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and deliberating its response to an unprecedented missile attack from Iran, which has pushed the region to the brink of full-scale war.
