Crowds rally for the liberation of captive individuals in Gaza
In the ongoing 22-month Gaza war, which began following Hamas' attack on Israel in 2023, the fate of the hostages remains a significant concern. As of now, 49 hostages continue to be detained in Gaza, with 27 having tragically lost their lives.
The conflict has sparked numerous demonstrations, with a notable event taking place in London on August 10, 2025. This protest, organised by the campaign group Defend Our Juries, saw over 520 people arrested by the Metropolitan Police during a mass demonstration at Parliament Square. This was the largest single-event arrest count by the Met since 1961, marking a significant flashpoint in the UK's ongoing protests related to the Gaza war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Many of those arrested were held under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act for displaying placards supporting Palestine Action, a move that has been criticised by rights groups and Amnesty International as excessive and "deeply concerning".
Prior to this, on Sunday, a march called the "National March for Hostages" took place in London. The protesters demanded the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and condemned London's consideration of recognising a Palestinian state. This rally was preceded by a massive protest in Tel Aviv the previous day, demanding an end to the war in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages.
The arrests at the London protest included three individuals for acts of violence, and ten more for assaults on officers or obstruction. The rally was initiated by the group Defend Our Juries.
During the marches, protesters waved Israeli flags and yellow ribbons, symbols of solidarity with the captives. Some also displayed the banned sign "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action".
The ongoing conflict and the plight of the hostages have also stirred strong emotions among family members. Adam Ma'anit, the cousin of a hostage who died in captivity, accused that the world wants to forget the hostages, and the silence is deafening. Ayelet Stavitsky, the sister of another hostage who died, affirmed that recognising the state of Palestine without the return of all hostages is rewarding Hamas.
As the Gaza war continues and the international community pressures Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the offensive and address the hostage situation, these protests serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the ongoing struggle for peace.
- The large-scale arrests during the National March for Hostages in London, which were met with criticism from rights groups, indicate that the Gaza war and Israeli-Palestinian conflict have also entered the realm of politics, with numerous demonstrations growing out of both general news and crime-and-justice sectors.
- Amidst war-and-conflicts in Gaza, the ongoing demonstrations in cities like London and Tel Aviv, fueled by family members' frustrations and calls for peace, serve to shine a light on the political implications of the hostage crisis, making it an integral part of global political discourse.
