Families of Israeli captives in Gaza call on government to end ongoing war on Palestinian enclave
Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in central Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand a prisoner exchange agreement with Palestinians.
"No victory without return of hostages,” and “There are 50 kidnapped families in Gaza,” read banners waved by protesters, Israeli Channel 13 reported.
The protest came amid reports of a deadlock in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas delegations in Qatar.
"The negotiations have not collapsed, and the Israeli delegation continues talks in Doha despite Hamas intransigence,” the channel said, citing an unnamed political official.
A forum representing families of Israeli captives in Gaza called on the government to end the ongoing war on the Palestinian enclave.
“Missing the current momentum would be a serious failure; every day the war continues is an achievement for Hamas and a serious risk for our hostages and soldiers,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.
“All the polls and data show that an absolute majority of the nation of Israel wants an end to the war in Gaza and the return of hostages, and agrees that it is in Israel's interest, including a decisive majority among coalition voters,” added the statement.
The families addressed a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, "History will remember what you chose: the hostages and fighters, or cheap political maneuvers."
Hamas said Wednesday it has agreed to release 10 live Israeli captives as a sign of "flexibility" to reach a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement, while Israel remains rigid on key points, including withdrawal from Gaza.
In contrast, Israel insists on a buffer zone 2 to 3 kilometers wide in the Rafah area, and 1 to 2 kilometers in other border areas.
Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since late October 2023, killing nearly 58,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages and a spread of disease.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
