Israelis Demand Netanyahu Secure Hostage Deal with Hamas
Tens of thousands of Israelis directly demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secure a deal with Hamas to free over 100 hostages held in Gaza. Despite the tense security situation, large crowds quickly gathered at Begin Gate in Tel Aviv on Saturday. They showed support for the families of the hostages and called for their immediate release. Protestors waved Israeli flags and held signs featuring images of the hostages, making their message clear.
According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, 115 hostages, both living and dead, remain in Gaza. Of that number, 111 were captured during the October 7 Hamas attack, which claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives. In response, Israel’s military launched an offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 40,000 Palestinians and displaced almost 2 million, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health and the United Nations.
Families Demand Answers from Netanyahu
Families of the hostages have sharply criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis. They are now calling for a public explanation regarding the government’s failure to negotiate a deal for the release of the remaining captives. In a statement released on Saturday, an association representing these families accused Netanyahu of escalating the conflict instead of securing a life-saving agreement.
Opposition Leaders Speak Out
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also weighed in. In a Telegram post, Lapid urged Israel’s security chiefs to “tell the public the truth.” He insisted that if Netanyahu’s government has given up on the hostages, they need to be transparent with the families and stop playing political games.
Tensions Rise Over Hostage Negotiations
Frustration grew this week as reports surfaced that Netanyahu had clashed with his top advisors over a new hostage and ceasefire proposal. Although the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office denied the report, Netanyahu’s office issued a separate statement blaming Hamas for obstructing negotiations. The statement emphasized that while Netanyahu agreed to the deal outline, Hamas introduced numerous changes that effectively undermined the agreement.