Thousands of people gathered on Sunday (7/4) in front of the Israeli parliament building demanding the return of hostages kidnapped by Hamas six months ago. They urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to agree to a ceasefire so that the hostages would be released.
“Stay strong, those of you who are still there,” exclaimed 17-year-old former hostage Agam Goldstein while taking part in the action.
Agam was released under a deal with Hamas at the end of November. About 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage by militants on October 7.
The Israeli military said 129 people were still being held in Gaza, including 34 who were thought to be dead. A family member of the hostage, Ofri Bibas, called on Netanyahu to immediately release his brother Yarden, his wife Shiri and their sons, Ariel, 4, and one-year-old Kfir.
After a massive anti-government demonstration in Tel Aviv on Saturday (6/4), which also raised similar issues, the demonstration in Jerusalem tried to be apolitical.
But Lishay Meran, whose husband Omri is among those being held captive in Gaza, criticized Netanyahu for not doing enough to free the hostages.
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“We were abandoned on October 7, and we have been abandoned ever since,” said the mother of two as the crowd waved banners reading “Free them now!” and “Bring them home.”
Families of other hostages accused Netanyahu of trying to attack groups staging protests by labeling them traitors. Netanyahu vowed the invasion of Gaza would not end until all the hostages were freed.
The Gaza war broke out on October 7 with Hamas attacks that resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli data. The Israeli invasion has killed at least 33,175 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. (AFP/M-3)
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