Tel Aviv: Israelis have switched off a large digital clock that had been counting the days since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, marking a deeply emotional moment for the country after 844 days of waiting.
The clock was placed in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv and became a powerful symbol of the struggle to bring home people taken during the attack. Families of the hostages and supporters gathered there regularly, hoping for news of their loved ones.
The decision to turn off the clock came after Israeli authorities confirmed that the body of the last remaining hostage linked to the attack had been recovered from Gaza. He was a young Israeli who died while defending a community during the assault and was taken away by militants.
For many families, the clock had represented both pain and hope. Its shutdown is being seen as a moment of closure, though the grief remains strong. Relatives of the hostages said the country now needs time to heal after more than two years of conflict and uncertainty.
The move also comes as part of a fragile ceasefire process aimed at ending fighting in Gaza and settling the hostage issue. Talks are still under way on how Gaza will be governed in the future, with major disagreements between Israel and Hamas over security and administration.
While the clock has stopped, tensions in the region remain high. Negotiations continue over disarmament and reconstruction, and wider Middle East tensions involving Iran and other actors add to the uncertainty.
The silent screen in Hostages Square now stands as a reminder of the long wait endured by families and the heavy cost of the conflict for both Israelis and Palestinians.