Former hostage Doron Steinbrecher told the families whose loved ones have not yet returned from Hamas captivity, "You are not alone," in a Saturday video statement featured at the Tel Aviv Hostages Square rally, in which various speakers spoke.
"We continue to fight for you, and we will do everything - I will do everything until everyone returns home and until you can close this circle, and we're together until the end. The first moment I leave here, I'll be there with a sign in hand," Steinbrecher said as thousands gathered at the square in Tel Aviv.
"The last time I sat with a camera pointed at me was in captivity," she said. "This whole thing takes me back to all the hostage videos I filmed and saw. But now I'm sitting comfortably on a couch with my family, watching me in a warm and pleasant place," she explained.
"And as difficult as this is, it was important for me to film this video to convey my message and my request and to show that I'm okay," she said.
Steinbrecher added that her well-being is still a "process" for her that will not end in a week or two.
Steinbrecher acknowledged that many people associate her with the recording of her saying, "They caught me, they caught me, they caught me," or as the blonde girl wearing pink.
"But I'm no longer blonde, and I won't wear pink anymore," she said. "I'm no longer Hamas's captive, and I'm home."
She then thanked everyone who "supported and embraced" her family and those who are "embracing" her now. She also thanked the IDF for their service.
'Everyone deserves closure'
Following the screening of the video statement, Steinbrecher's sister, Yamit Ashkenazi, and her mother, Simona Steinbrecher, addressed the crowds at Hostage Square.
"Our family went through turmoil but emerged stronger," said Yamit Ashkenazi, her sister.
Ashkenazi also addressed US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the mediators who negotiated the hostage deal, saying, "You've succeeded! Eighteen hostages have returned, thank you!" She asked them to continue until all the hostages were home.
"May Phase B be concluded and clarified soon, and Phase C be completed fully so we can finally stop counting the days and hostages remaining in Gaza and begin 'the day after," Ashkenazi added.
Simona Steinbrecher said she wanted to thank everyone for the privilege of hugging her daughter.
However, she also said her heart felt torn, knowing that others could not do the same.
"And I demand from the decision-makers to complete all phases of the deal, bring everyone back," she said. "Everyone deserves closure, deserves to return home."