Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to mark two years since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and urged for the return of the hostages.

Mothers of hostages spoke of the pain they continue to endure as their loved ones remain held in Gaza.

“I know you’re in pain, and I can’t hug you. I hear you whisper, ‘Come for me, Mom,’ and I can’t protect you,” said Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest.

Galit Dan, who lost her daughter Carmela and mother Noya Dan in Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, said the anniversary has returned while hostages are still in captivity.

"It’s time to bring them all home," Galit Dan told the crowd. "It’s time for this day to end, so we can all return to life."

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 people in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack during a major Jewish holiday. Most hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 people, destroyed vast areas of the strip, displaced around 90% of the population of some 2 million and caused a humanitarian crisis, with experts saying Gaza City is experiencing famine.