Rambam Lights Up in Yellow: Remembering 58 Hostages on Day 600 of War

Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) in Haifa, Israel, illuminated the facade of its historic stone building in yellow last night, joining a national call for the return of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza.

It has now been 600 days since the start of the Swords of Iron War and the brutal Hamas-led attack that resulted in the abduction of hundreds of Israeli civilians and soldiers. While many have since been released, 58 remain in captivity—nearly a year and eight months later.

This morning, Rambam staff held a brief campus ceremony to mark the solemn milestone. Physicians, nurses, administrators, and support staff gathered to honor those still missing and call for their immediate release. Among the speakers was Yuval Bar On, a fourth-year medical student at the Technion. His fiancée, Shir Siegel, is the daughter of Keith and Aviva Siegel, who were both taken hostage on October 7. Aviva was released after 51 days; Keith was freed during a ceasefire earlier this year. Bar On spoke movingly about his family’s experience and their ongoing advocacy for the release of all remaining hostages.

The Rambam 600-Days Commemorative Ceremony

The yellow lighting of Rambam’s iconic building stands as a powerful symbol of hope, unity, and unwavering solidarity. Across Israel, yellow ribbons have become emblematic of the national effort to bring the hostages home.

The evening’s gesture was accompanied by a quote shared widely across the country in recent months: "We don’t need grand words—just prayers. Even when it’s hard to see, you always leave one small light for me.”

Rambam stands with the hostages. Rambam stands with their families. May that small light grow brighter until all are safely returned.