A peaceful vigil to demand the release of the hostages being held in Gaza drew a crowd of several hundred.

"The beginning of the end of the violence begins with the release of the hostages," said Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

"I usually don't go to large crowds anymore because I worry about what going to happen, but I felt I had to be here today," said Gigi Zeller, an attendee.

The vigil was an opportunity to fight the feelings of helplessness that feel overwhelming to many.

"I stopped watching all the news that's so disheartening and breaking my heart," said Zeller.

"Right now, there's no safe home in Israel, not in the south not in the north not in the center," said Shachar Liran-Hanan.

The names of all 217 hostages were said aloud, along with prayers for a safe return and a peaceful end to all this violence.