Protesters in Thousands take to the Streets of Tel Aviv for Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release
Throngs of Israelis Demand Ceasefire in Gaza and Liberation of All Captives - Multitudes of Israelis rally for truce in Gaza and delivery of all captives
The disturbing image of Israeli hostage Matan Zanguker, tweaked on a red garbage bag with a photo of the young man lying half-conscious and hooked up to an IV, was recently released by the Palestinian organization Hamas, ruling the Gaza Strip. Hamas linked this chilling image with the warning that Zanguker wouldn't survive his captivity.
Matan's mother, Einav, expressed her frustration at a demonstration in Tel Aviv: "I've had enough of this nightmare. The grim reaper Netanyahu continues to sacrifice hostages," she spewed, directing her anger at the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Noam Katz, whose father Lior Rudaeff, who had been kidnapped in the Gaza Strip, was declared deceased but his body remained in the Gaza Strip, demanded an immediate end to the fighting. "Stop sending more soldiers to risk their lives to bring our fathers back," she shouted to the protesters via the hostage forum. "Bring them back through an agreement. End the war!"
On Friday, the Israeli army reported the death of four of its soldiers in the Gaza Strip. They were killed in an explosion in the Khan Yunis area in the southern part of the Palestinian territory.
Israel has increased its operations in the Gaza Strip following a two-month ceasefire in March. The offensive aims to dismantle the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas, which controls the coastal strip and initiated the Gaza conflict with its large-scale attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Out of the 251 people that Hamas and its allies had kidnapped from Israel to the Gaza Strip at that time, Israeli authorities claim that 55 are still being held in the Gaza Strip. At least 31 of them are said to be dead. Negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the USA for a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages have so far been unsuccessful.
- Gaza Strip
- Israel
- Tel Aviv
- Ceasefire
- Release
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Hamas
- Mother
- Death
Extra Insights:
negotiators from Qatar are awaiting an updated response from Hamas regarding a plan proposed by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, which includes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 hostages. Hamas has reportedly softened its stance due to pressure and emerging rival militias, although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance remains a significant obstacle to reaching a deal, according to critics. American guarantees for a long-term ceasefire have been sought by Hamas, but the complexity of the ongoing negotiations is influenced by various factors, including political pressures and humanitarian considerations.
The mother of one of the Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, manifesting her distress at a demonstration in Tel Aviv, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of acting as an "angel of death" by sacrificing hostages. Despite negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages led by Egypt, Qatar, and the USA, tensions continue to escalate in the Gaza Strip, calling for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release in Tel Aviv.
