JERUSALEM – Thousands of members of the family and supporters of a few 240 hostages held in Gaza streamed into Jerusalem on Saturday, castigating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his dealing with of the battle with Hamas and pleading with the government to do more to convey their family members house.
The march capped a five-day trek from Tel Aviv and represented the most important protest on behalf of the hostages since they have been dragged into Gaza by means of Hamas on Oct. 7 as a part of the militants’ fatal assault in southern Israel. About 1,200 other folks have been killed in Israel on the day of the wonder Hamas attack.
Israel declared battle in reaction, and more than 11,500 Palestinians had been killed in the previous six weeks because the Israeli military conducts a punishing air and flooring offensive in Gaza, the place Hamas militants have dominated for the previous 16 years.
Israeli leaders have set two targets — to weigh down Hamas and to bring the hostages home.
Some of the hostage families have stated they concern that the army offensive endangers their family members. Israeli leaders, in flip, have argued that best army force on Hamas will lead to some hostage releases in a conceivable deal involving a brief cease-fire.
On Saturday, the marchers carried Israeli flags and photos of the hostages as they completed the 70-kilometer (45-mile) stroll to Jerusalem and slowly converged on Netanyahu’s place of job.
Netanyahu has now not but agreed to meet with them, scary fury a few of the demonstrators. Other participants of Israel’s War Cabinet — former opposition chief Benny Gantz and previous military leader Gadi Eisenkot — have been set to sit down down Saturday night time with representatives of the hostage households.
“We are here today with many families walking up to Jerusalem to keep the awareness of the hostage issue as a top priority for the government of Israel,” stated Ruby Chen, whose 19-year outdated son is a hostage.
For the households, the procession marked the end result of six weeks of being worried and questioning in regards to the protection and whereabouts in their family members, who come with kids and older adults.
It additionally signaled the rising political energy of the gang, as thousands of supporters marched along the households. Some criticized the War Cabinet for what they described as a loss of transparency about any rescue plans.
“We are gathered here from all across the nation to support the families of the kidnapped and to send a direct message to the government,” marcher Hvihy Hanina said. “These hostages must be set free. They belong with us. They belong with their families.”
The protest came amid widespread Israeli media speculation that the War Cabinet is considering a Qatari-brokered deal to win the release of the women and children among the hostages. In exchange, Israel would agree to a cease-fire of several days and release several dozen of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners it is holding.
Of the more than 240 hostages kidnapped to Gaza, five have been released — four of them through international diplomacy involving Qatar, and one who was rescued by Israeli troops. Their freedom raised the hopes of other families.
But Israel this week confirmed the deaths of two hostages, and Hamas and Islamic Jihad have published several videos of hostages who looked unwell, provoking fear and concern among many.
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