Anger and frustration were palpable in Israel as demonstrators took to the streets demanding the government secure the release of captives held in Gaza. There are currently 58 captives still in Gaza, with 34 believed to be dead according to the Israeli military. Family members and supporters of the captives rallied in Tel Aviv over the weekend, with tensions flaring between them and police.
Protesters criticized the government for not pursuing a captives-for-prisoners exchange deal with Hamas, holding the Israeli government responsible for the lives of their loved ones. Demonstrators waved pictures of the captives and condemned the decision to return to war, calling for immediate action to bring the captives home.
The protest coincided with the release of a video by Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, showing an Israeli captive, identified as Elkana Bohbot, pleading for his release. Bohbot was captured during an attack in southern Israel in October 2023, which sparked the latest conflict between Israel and Gaza. In the video, Bohbot speaks in Hebrew and urges the government to secure his freedom.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that time is running out for the captives in Gaza. The ongoing protests and calls for action highlight the deep emotional and political issues surrounding the captive situation and the need for immediate intervention by the Israeli government.
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