Almost 3 years after Oct. 7, 'Hostages Square' becomes official name of Tel Aviv Museum plaza

Nearly three years after the October 7 attacks, the Tel Aviv Museum plaza has been officially renamed "Hostages Square" by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality. The unveiling of the new signs on Tuesday marked the formal recognition of a name the public had adopted since the attacks, honoring and remembering the former Gaza hostages.

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The square became a center of solidarity, mutual responsibility, and an uncompromising demand: Bring them, all of them, home.

The plaza has served as a critical focal point for the campaign to bring hostages home. It became a gathering place for families of those held captive and their supporters, fostering solidarity and mutual responsibility. The site was instrumental in raising awareness for the hostages' plight and served as a key location for protesters advocating for a deal to secure their release.

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai met with representatives of hostage families following the unveiling. He stated that the decision to rename the plaza aims to ensure that "this chapter in the history of the State of Israel, from October 7, 2023, until the return of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, on January 26, 2026, will be remembered for generations." Huldai acknowledged the "courageous and determined struggle" led by the families and expressed pride that Tel Aviv-Jaffa could host them.

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the decision to rename the plaza was "intended to ensure that this chapter in the history of the State of Israel, from October 7, 2023, until the return of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, on January 26, 2026, will be remembered for generations."

"The square became a center of solidarity, mutual responsibility, and an uncompromising demand: Bring them, all of them, home," Huldai said. The renaming solidifies the plaza's role in commemorating the hostages, their families, and "the commitment to never give up on anyone." The municipality seeks to preserve the site's significance for future generations, ensuring the memory of the struggle remains an inseparable part of Tel Aviv Yafo's and Israel's story.

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A courageous and determined struggle took place here, led by heroic families who did everything to bring their loved ones home, Huldai said, adding that it was a privilege for Tel Aviv-Jaffa to be the home for these families.

Since October 7, the plaza has hosted numerous events, including mass rallies, Kabbalat Shabbat ceremonies, and various community activities. It was also a site of public gathering when the final hostage deal was signed in October 2025, marking the return of the remaining hostages. The official status of "Hostages Square" aims to preserve the memory of where "pain and hope came together."

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The renaming the plaza to Hostages Square ensures that the hostages, their families, and "the commitment to never give up on anyone," will be preserved.