LA billboards raise awareness of Israeli hostages and kidnapped children

A significant show of support for Israeli hostages in Gaza has taken the form of billboards scattered across the Southland. 

The powerful campaign, named "Let My People Go," is aimed at exposing the harsh reality of the ongoing conflict. The billboards display heart-wrenching images of Israeli children, reminding people that the youngest members of society are often the most vulnerable victims of war.

"We show pictures of the young Israeli children, toddlers, infants, to showcase that kidnapping is never justified," said Robert Engelson, a marketing and advertising executive. 

The billboards can be seen along major freeways and throughout the city, not only drawing attention to the impact of war on Jewish communities worldwide but also serving as a response to the increasing instances of anti-Semitism locally. 

The campaign was launched by a Los Angeles-based group of Israel advocates and volunteers with the intention of raising awareness about the Israel-Hamas war. 

Over the coming month, the campaign will continue to run on over 30 billboards throughout Southern California. 

Hamas released two more hostages on Monday, identified by Israeli officials as Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, just days after releasing two American women on Friday.

Cooper and Lifshitz were abducted from their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small Israeli community near the Gaza border that came under attack on Oct. 7.