Thousands in Tel Aviv Demand Netanyahu Sign Hostage Release Deal
On Saturday, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv, adding their voices to the growing demand for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sign a deal to release the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. The latest call comes just days after Israel announced the killing of Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, believed to be the mastermind behind the 7 October attack on southern Israel.
The weekly protests, which have been ongoing against the Netanyahu government, saw relatives of hostages and their supporters call for immediate action. For them, the time to negotiate a deal is long overdue. Gal Sne, one of the protesters, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "We have 101 Israeli hostages still held captive by Hamas, and no time should be lost to release them," he said. Sne dismissed recent developments, including the reported death of Sinwar and a drone attack on Netanyahu’s home in Caesarea, as secondary to the main issue. "I don’t care about those things," he said. "I want the hostages released. There is a hostage release deal that has been on the table since October 7th last year. Netanyahu has to sign this deal, and then the rest will fall into place."
One of the earliest proposals for a hostage release deal was put forward on 12 October 2023 by Egyptian officials. It called for releasing all women and children held by Hamas and other Palestinian militants in Gaza in exchange for freeing all Palestinian women in Israeli prisons. However, the initial proposal was rejected by the Israelis.
Another protester, Mirav Berkowitz, echoed Sne’s sentiment, calling on leaders from both sides to engage in dialogue. "We’re people, aren’t we? We are people on both sides. This is the time to talk. Make this horrible situation an opportunity," she said.
Despite mounting pressure, both Israel and Hamas have signalled their resistance to ending the war in Gaza. The Palestinians militant group has stated that none of the hostages will be released until the Israeli military completely withdraws from Gaza. Ceasefire talks have stalled, and the weekly protests, held in what has come to be known as Hostages Square, have taken on a political dimension.
Many of the protesters have been demanding Netanyahu step down and call fresh elections, with some accusing him of prioritizing his political survival over the lives of the hostages. As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that brings peace and freedom to the hostages and their families.
