Thousands demonstrate in Israel for the release of the hostages

TEL AVIV (dpa-AFX) - Thousands of people demonstrated in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities for the release of all hostages held by the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. "The window of opportunity to bring all 50 hostages, living and dead, home is now open – but not for much longer," said Eli Sharabi, speaking at the central rally in Tel Aviv, according to a report in the newspaper "Haaretz."

Sharabi (53) was himself held hostage in Hamas tunnels in Gaza for 16 months. After his release in early February of this year, he learned that his wife and two young daughters had been murdered in the massacre by terrorists from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. The family had lived in Kibbutz Beeri, near the Gaza border in southern Israel. The body of his kidnapped brother Yossi is still being held in Gaza.

Addressing Israel's government politicians, Sharabi said in his speech: "You were elected to serve this people. With humility, with modesty. It was arrogance that brought disaster upon us—and we must not return to that pattern of behavior."

According to official Israeli sources, 50 people abducted from Israel are still being held in the Gaza Strip, at least 20 of whom are believed to be still alive. In the Qatari capital, Doha, Israel and Hamas are currently negotiating indirect talks for a 60-day ceasefire, which is expected to lead to the release of ten live hostages and the return of several bodies of abducted people. The talks are considered difficult and have recently stalled.

The protests were directed against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because, according to the demonstrators, it is dragging out the hostage release process. Only during the targeted 60-day ceasefire will the sides negotiate a permanent cessation of hostilities and the release of the remaining hostages. They have a chance of being released only if an agreement is reached.

Critics accuse Netanyahu of trying to ensure his own political survival by delaying steps toward an end to the war. His governing coalition includes far-right and ultra-religious parties that demand a military occupation of the Gaza Strip to establish Israeli settlements there./gm/DP/zb