The Israeli Consulate General in New York City launched a digital billboard ad campaign in Times Square featuring the image of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage believed to be held in Gaza, as part of an effort to increase public pressure for his return.
Ofir Akunis, the Israeli consul general in New York, called Gvili an “Israeli hero” who defended Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, against “the Hamas monsters.”
The campaign, which the consulate says was led in coordination with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, follows earlier international awareness efforts calling attention to the fate of hostages taken on Oct. 7.
“The Hamas terrorist organization, with guarantees from Arab states, promised President Trump that they would return all the hostages,” Akunis told JNS. “Israel is upholding the agreement, and therefore, there will be no move to Phase B without Ran Gvili returning to the State of Israel.”
“In Phase B, Hamas committed to demilitarizing Gaza and laying down its arms,” he added. “We insist on full implementation of these commitments.”
