2024-01-14 00:14:00
Protesters demand the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and marking 100 days since the October 7 attack (REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini)
Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv late Saturday to demand the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists, on the eve of the 100th day of their captivity.
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The protests came following families unveiled a replica of the tunnels in the besieged Palestinian territory where their loved ones are believed to be held since their abduction on October 7.
The crowd carried a huge banner that read: “And the world remains silent,” and chanted that the hostages must be released “Now, now, now.”
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“Everywhere I look, I am impressed by the Israeli people who have come en masse today to support us and be with us.”
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French President Emmanuel Macron sent a message to protesters calling for negotiations to be resumed for the release of the hostages.
“France does not abandon its children,” he said, listing the names of some of the French dual nationals held.
About 100 hostages were freed during a week-long truce in November, including Israelis in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
On the other hand, regarding 100 people gathered to call for an end to the war, brandishing banners that said: “Revenge is not victory” and: “No to the occupation.”
Saturday night protests have become a weekly event in Tel Aviv since the war began, but groups supporting the hostages’ families came out in greater numbers to mark the 100th day of war.
Relatives of a hostage next to the entrance to a tunnel installed to simulate the living conditions of those kidnapped in the deadly attack on October 7
On October 7, Palestinian terrorists took some 250 hostages, 129 of whom Israel says remain in Gaza, at least 25 of whom are believed to have died.
A model of a Hamas tunnel was installed outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, with a dimly lit passageway, dirt on the floor and the sounds of gunshots and shelling constantly ringing out.
Israeli artist Roni Levavi, who designed the installation, said he wanted to create “the most faithful reconstruction” of the Gaza tunnels and relied on media images.
Inbar Goldstein, who had several family members freed during the November truce and several others killed in the initial attack, said: “It is the only tunnel in this story that has a light at the end.”
After walking through the simulated tunnel, Eyal Moar said it was just a small part of the ordeal experienced by his uncle Abraham Munder, 79, and the other hostages.
On Friday, Israeli authorities declared that they had reached an agreement to provide medicine to the remaining captives, which some of the families considered little progress.
“It’s not enough,” said Ella Ben Ami, whose father, Ohad Ben Ami, 55, is among those still held.
Hamas is believed to be hiding hostages in underground tunnels in Gaza
“I want him at home, in the hospital, with good medical care, not Hamas medical care.”
Israel has bombed Gaza since Oct. 7, killing at least 23,843 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s Health Ministry.
The Israeli military often speaks of “tunnels of terror” used by Hamas fighters to transport hostages, as well as to store weapons and shelter from bombing.
Family members said the experience of being trapped, even in the simulated tunnel, was heartbreaking. “I was there five minutes and I just wanted to run,” Ben Ami said. “I had the option to flee, but they didn’t.”
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