Youenn Madec // Credit photo : AMAURY CORNU / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP
7.43pm, November 10, 2024modified to
400 days since hundreds of hostages were kidnapped during the October 7 attacks by Hamas. A rally was held this Sunday afternoon at Place du Palais Royal in Paris. Hundreds of people were present, including the father of one of the hostages. Europe 1 was on site.
The square was covered with portraits of October 7 hostages, held by people who were most affected. There were songs, slogans calling for the release of the hostages and above all a long countdown, since the organizers passed around, one by one, the 400 black posters which represented the 400 days of captivity of the hostages, explains Jean-David Michel, president of the “Tous October 7” association.
“We have to keep hope”
“It seems endless, even just scrolling through the 400 posters. And yet, the hostages have been there for 400 days. This international mobilization, since it takes place in Paris, but also in the whole world, allows to put pressure on the leaders, but above all, it helps the families of hostages to hold on and that alone is something fundamental.
In the crowd, there are many who say they have been part of all the demonstrations since October 7. Some even saw a direct link between the fate of the hostages and their family history. This is the case of Florence who presents herself as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor: “These are people who are imprisoned in appalling conditions. As were our parents, our grandparents. Hope, We have to keep it. My grandparents hoped for the return of their children who never returned from deportation. So hope is still something human. That said. is still very difficult.”
And despite the doubts, everyone present affirmed it. For them, the best way to maintain hope is obviously to continue to mobilize until all the hostages are freed.
