Anti-government protests erupted across Israel this weekend as tens of thousands of Israelis rallied for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a deal with Hamas to release over 100 hostages held in Gaza. Despite urgent security warnings, including fears of a potential Iranian retaliation following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the demonstrations continued.
Protesters gathered at Begin Gate in Tel Aviv, where they showed support for hostage families and demanded their release. They waved Israeli flags and displayed signs with images of the captives. Chanting slogans such as “Release the hostages” and “Human lives above all,” they voiced their frustration. Some protesters were surrounded by barricades symbolizing the hostages’ confinement.
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Currently, 115 hostages, both living and deceased, are being held in Gaza. This includes 111 taken during the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths. In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced close to 2 million people.
Families of the hostages have strongly criticized Netanyahu for his handling of the situation and are demanding transparency about the government’s efforts to negotiate their release. They accuse him of escalating the conflict rather than pursuing a life-saving deal. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has also called for honesty from Israel’s security officials, urging them to stop “playing games” with the families’ lives.
Tensions rose further this week after reports emerged of a dispute between Netanyahu and his senior advisors regarding a potential hostage and ceasefire deal. Channel 12 claimed that during a security council meeting, Mossad director David Barnea advocated for accepting a deal, while Shin Bet head Ronen Bar believed Netanyahu was resistant. Netanyahu reportedly dismissed the advisors’ input, claiming they were inadequate negotiators.
The Prime Minister’s office has denied these reports, asserting that Netanyahu is committed to securing the hostages’ release. They also criticized media leaks and accused Hamas of obstructing negotiations. The office stated that while Netanyahu had agreed to the deal’s outline, Hamas had attempted to introduce changes that undermined the agreement.
Recent updates suggest that Netanyahu might have added new demands at the last minute, complicating the negotiations further. Despite the ongoing protests and public pressure, the situation remains complex and fraught with challenges for all parties involved.
