Israelis Rally in Tens of Thousands, Calling for Hostage Release

 

Tel Aviv Sees Mass Protests Following Hostage Bodies Recovery

Tens of Thousands Protest Across Israel After Hostage Bodies Recovered

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Israel after the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip were recovered by Israeli soldiers, igniting national outrage.

Protesters, many draped in Israeli flags, gathered in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government of failing to negotiate the release of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.

Although Sunday’s protests were largely peaceful, tensions escalated as crowds broke through police barriers, blocking a major highway in Tel Aviv.

The demonstrations coincide with a call from the major Israeli labor union, Histadrut, for a nationwide general strike on Monday, urging the government to secure a hostage deal.

IDF Discovers Hostage Bodies, Sparking Mass Protests Across Israel

Among the protesters was Eli Shtivi, whose son Idan is being held hostage in Gaza. “We hope that those who make the decisions will wake up,” he told the BBC. “We don’t have time any more.” He emphasized that people from all sectors of Israeli society were united in their demand for the hostages' return. “I miss my child so much. All the families are kind of hostages too,” Mr. Shtivi added.

Another demonstrator in Tel Aviv, Noga Burkman, shared her determination with the BBC, saying she “couldn't stay at home any more.” She added, “People understand that now we need to break the rules and do something. Tonight is just the beginning.

In Jerusalem, a massive crowd of protesters gathered outside the prime minister's office, further intensifying the pressure on the government.

Protesters, some of whom scaled buses and bins to get a better view, surrounded a person wearing a Netanyahu mask, chanting, “Alive, alive, we want them alive.

A 50-year-old man told the BBC that the demonstrations were far bigger than any previous ones, saying, "It’s a totally different game today. A different scale to anything before.

Among the demonstrators in Tel Aviv was 24-year-old Yotam Peer, whose 21-year-old brother was killed in the Hamas attacks on October 7. He expressed his frustration, stating, "After we heard about the six hostages, we couldn’t be silent any more. It’s really important. We don’t have a choice any more.

Local media reported that opposition leader Yair Lapid was also present at the protests. The former prime minister, who leads the Yesh Atid party, had earlier backed calls for a mass strike to pressure Netanyahu into negotiating a deal for the hostages' release.

Uncertainty Surrounds Number of Remaining Hostages in Gaza

The exact number of hostages still held in Gaza remains unclear. On October 7, 2023, Hamas kidnapped 251 people during a brutal attack in southern Israel that also left 1,200 dead.

In response, Israel launched a retaliatory military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, more than 40,530 people have been killed in the territory since the conflict began.

As tensions continue to escalate, the exact number of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza remains unclear. On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a devastating attack in southern Israel, kidnapping 251 people and killing 1,200 others. The assault marked one of the deadliest days in Israel’s history, sparking a fierce retaliatory military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

Since the onset of the conflict, Israel’s military operations have aimed to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure and secure the release of the hostages. However, despite these efforts, the number of captives who remain in Hamas custody is uncertain. The fate of these individuals continues to weigh heavily on the minds of their families and the broader Israeli public.

The conflict has also exacted a severe toll on Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 40,530 people have been killed in the territory since the fighting began. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, with widespread destruction and a growing number of civilian casualties.

As Israeli forces continue their operations, the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to secure the release of the remaining hostages has intensified. Protests across Israel have highlighted the public's frustration with the government's handling of the situation, with many accusing the leadership of not doing enough to bring the hostages home safely.

The ongoing violence and uncertainty have left both Israelis and Palestinians grappling with the devastating consequences of the conflict, with no clear resolution in sight.