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It was a heart-wrenching scene in Manhattan Tuesday as relatives of Israeli hostages walked to the United Nations building and pleaded to see their families returned safely home.

Along the way, they were met with hundreds of supporters, many of them holding pictures of the hostages and waving Israeli flags.

It’s been two-and-a-half weeks since Hamas terrorists kidnapped hundreds of civilians as part of their rampage on Oct. 7. So far, four hostages have been released, but more than 200 remained trapped in Gaza, including American citizens.

Axios reports Israel is considering delaying its ground invasion of Gaza in order to negotiate more releases. Israeli leadership fears a deal will be all but impossible once the assault begins.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows a ground invasion into Gaza is imminent.

Hamas says it’s willing to release civilians if Israel calls off its airstrikes. But Israel says if it reaches a hostage deal in the coming days, it will do nothing to stop its goal of destroying Hamas.