In the wake of the horrific October 7, 2023, terror attacks orchestrated by Hamas, Tal Huber, an Israeli graphic designer, found herself horrified and compelled to act. As news reports were flooded with details about the violence, she realized that amidst the chaos, the faces of the captives were being obscured, leaving their stories untold.

Dedicated to changing this narrative, Huber immersed herself in her creative work the very next morning. “I knew that I could not continue with my regular work; it felt trivial in the face of human suffering,” she stated. Fueled by her passion and a sense of urgency, she launched a grassroots poster campaign aimed at raising awareness about the hundreds of Israeli hostages taken back to Gaza.

These posters, featuring the smiling faces of the hostages alongside their names and ages, quickly went viral, appearing on walls and city streets across the globe—including major cities like Montreal, Manhattan, and Munich. Citizens around the world began to recognize the individuals who had become pawns in a complex geopolitical conflict.

In recognition of her impactful work, Huber was honored at a gala by the World Jewish Congress in New York City. Acknowledging her vulnerability in public speaking, she expressed, “It’s not my comfort zone to stand in front of a huge crowd, but I did it for the kidnapped and everyone involved in this campaign.”

The campaign also aimed specifically at engaging New Yorkers. Huber collaborated with Israeli street artists Nitzan Mintz and Dede Bandaid to create compelling graphics that conveyed a visual and emotional connection to the plight of the hostages. These striking “Kidnapped” posters drew inspiration from missing persons campaigns, consciously designed to evoke a powerful sense of urgency and despair.

Initial uncertainties about the total number of captives only fueled their resolve. With limited information, Huber and her team produced 20 posters that quickly proliferated, sparking a movement that transcended borders. Within just six months, the campaign had reached nearly every corner of the globe, with over a million posters downloaded and printed in dozens of languages—including Arabic, a decision made in solidarity with the captives as Israeli soldiers printed copies to distribute in Gaza.

Despite the campaign's profound reach, Huber faced unexpected backlash. Many posters were torn down, prompting her to confront the harsh realities of antisemitism. Yet, these challenges galvanized community support, leading to donations that allowed the message to be displayed on billboards and large screens in prominent locations like Times Square.

The collaborative effort grew, thanks to individuals like Tala Zilberman from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where many hostages originally lived. Zilberman provided critical information that expanded Huber's initial project with additional names and photos of the hostages. With this collective intelligence, Huber became deeply familiar with their stories, putting a face to the statistics of despair.

Huber is convinced that the images of these innocent civilians—strategically shared worldwide—have begun to influence public opinion and pressure decision-makers in the U.S. and Europe to take stronger action on behalf of the hostages. This campaign continues to serve as a reminder of the human cost of conflict, highlighting the stories behind the numbers.

As of now, more than 230 people—both Israelis and foreign nationals—were taken hostage during the attacks, with 101 still believed to be held captive. Huber remains steadfast in her commitment, empowering communities to keep the conversation alive. “We cannot stop. I do believe that people have the power to change and influence,” she asserts.

Her courageous actions and unyielding focus on the humanity of the hostages have redefined the narrative surrounding this ongoing crisis, turning victims into powerful symbols of resilience and bringing their plight to the forefront of global consciousness.