Thousands of people demonstrated in Israel on Saturday evening for the release of hostages from the Islamist Hamas and against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In Tel Aviv they shouted: “Time is running out, bring her home!” Meanwhile, according to Hamas, a 34-year-old Israeli hostage died due to a “lack of medicine and food.”
The demonstrators set several small fires in the streets of the center of the coastal metropolis and blocked a main artery. The slogans also targeted Netanyahu, who is accused by critics of failing to manage the crisis following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.
“Prisoners of our government”
Moreover, many protesters believe that the head of government is subordinating the fate of the hostages to the needs of his political survival. “Whoever abandoned them must bring them back!” they shouted. As on previous Saturdays, they called for the resignation of the Netanyahu government and for new elections. One of the speakers said: “My cousin Ofer has been a prisoner of Hamas for 169 days. And we have been prisoners of our government for 169 days.”
Terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups from the Gaza Strip killed 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250 as hostages during their massacre last October. Israel then attacked the Palestinian coastal strip with massive military force to crush Hamas once and for all. Just over a hundred hostages were released during a ceasefire in November.
It is estimated that about a hundred hostages are still alive
In early February, the Israeli army declared that 31 of the hostages in the Gaza Strip were dead. According to Israeli estimates, almost 100 of the people kidnapped by Hamas are still alive. Israel is currently negotiating the exchange of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons in the Qatari capital Doha, mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar.
Bargaining in Qatar
Several hundred people also demonstrated in front of Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem on Saturday evening. “Decisive negotiations are taking place in Qatar today,” said a speaker whose brother is among the hostages. “The Israeli government should not miss this opportunity.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
