(5 Jul 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tel Aviv, Israel - 4 July 2025
1. Families of hostages gathering outside the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv, chanting (English) "Bring them home now, make the deal now."
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Ruby Chen, Father of hostage Itay Chen, who was killed in an Israeli military base during Hamas attack:
"Today, as Americans across the country celebrate the 4th of July, a day that honors our freedom and founding ideals, we, an American family with a loved one, my son Itay, still held hostage in Gaza, cannot celebrate this 4th of July again. Instead, I appeal to President Trump to make my family whole again."
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Keith Siegel, released hostage:
"50 hostages are still in Hamas captivity. Only a comprehensive deal can bring all of them home. President Trump, you are the only one who can do it. End the war. Bring the hostages home. Create a better future for the Middle East."
4. Various of family members of hostages tying together swimming rings in the colors of the U.S. flag, attaching photos of the hostages to them, and setting them afloat in the Mediterranean Sea
5. Members of families of hostages hold a banner in the sea, reading (English) "Mr. President, be their lifesaver"
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Keith Siegel, released hostage:
"We are in a historic window of opportunity. The leader who achieved a ceasefire with Iran can also deliver the deal of all deals in Gaza. This is our moment. The families are waiting. The 50 hostages are waiting. Please, please don't let this opportunity slip away."
7. Wide of swimming rings in the water, sign reading (English) "Save them"
STORYLINE:
Agonized Israeli hostage families urged U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday to secure a ceasefire deal that will ensure the release of their loved ones.
In Tel Aviv, families of the hostages remaining in Gaza and former hostages released from Gaza gathered outside the U.S. embassy branch office to call for an immediate deal.
There are 50 remaining hostages inside Gaza, less than half of whom are said to be alive.
Ruby Chen, the father of hostage Itay Chen, whose remains are held captive in Gaza, called on Trump to make sure his son's body returns home.
"Today, as Americans across the country celebrate the 4th of July, a day that honors our freedom and founding ideals, we, an American family with a loved one, my son Itay, still held hostage in Gaza, cannot celebrate," he said.
"I appeal to President Trump to make my family whole again."
Keith Siegel, a former hostage, said of the hostages: "Only a comprehensive deal can bring all of them home. President Trump, you are the only one who can do it."
Trump said Thursday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen.
Hamas’ response emphasized its demand that the truce lead to an end to the war.
AP Video by Fernanda Pesce
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Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gICwBl-2KaM