Hostages’ Families and Troops Light Menorahs
Stand for Israel | December 8, 2023
Hanukkah began Thursday evening. So many in Israel started the symbolic tradition of lighting the menorah, all while many across Israel wait for the return of loved ones still held hostage in Gaza and as the IDF bravely defends Israel. The Times of Israel tells us more:
Marking the start of Hanukkah Thursday evening, the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas held a candle-lighting ceremony during a rally in Tel Aviv calling for the release of their loved ones, while soldiers fighting against the terror group lit menorahs in Gaza to celebrate the first night of the Jewish holiday…
On Thursday evening, soldiers operating in Gaza also lit candles to celebrate the holiday.
“You are modern day Maccabees,” Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, the head of Southern Command, told troops in the Jabaliya camp in northern Gaza.
“This is a long, important and difficult war, and this is a symbolic moment of the lighting the Hanukkah candles… We will continue onwards until victory,” he said.