Ran Gvili’s return: the iconic stopwatch in Hostage Square will be stopped tonight 

The Hostages’ Families Forum announced the end of the symbolic countdown timer installed in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, following the repatriation of the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage held in Gaza. “For the first time since 2014, Israel woke up without any hostages held in Gaza. It is time to stop the clock,” the organization stated. A powerful symbol since October 7, this timer had been counting every second of captivity, “when time itself seemed to have stood still for the families and for the entire nation after October 7,” the Forum said. 

After 844 cumulative days of captivity, totaling more than 20,000 hours, the counter will be officially stopped at a ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m., which will be attended by Ran Gvili’s sister, former hostages, and families bereaved by the war.