By Ezekiel David
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday to protest the government’s handling of the hostage crisis in Gaza, following the announcement that Hamas had killed six hostages.
Protesters demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ensure the release of the remaining hostages, sparking demonstrations in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other cities. The Israeli media estimated the crowds to be as huge as 500,000 people.
The protests came after the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Rafah, Gaza. A forensic examination concluded they were killed by Hamas 48-72 hours prior.
Netanyahu, facing mounting pressure, vowed to hold those responsible accountable but ruled out a ceasefire deal. Senior Hamas officials countered, blaming Netanyahu for the deaths and urging Israelis to choose between him and a deal.
The October 7 attacks by Hamas, which claimed about 1,200 Israeli lives and resulted in the kidnapping of about 250 hostages, are the cause of the hostage situation. Following that, Israel launched an offensive that completely destroyed Gaza, with over 40,000 casualties reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Amid the escalating public anger, Israel’s trade union federation called for a general strike on Monday, including the closure of Ben Gurion airport. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and opposition leader Yair Lapid also called for a resolution to the crisis.
The Hostage Families Forum demanded accountability from Netanyahu, stating the delay in a deal led to the deaths of the six hostages and potentially others. Some families of the deceased refused to speak with the Prime Minister, urging further protests.
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed shock and promised that Hamas officials will be held accountable in response to the international outcry. A deal is still elusive after months of negotiations facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Before any compromise can be reached, Hamas demands that Israel completely withdraw from Gaza, including the disputed regions.
(Source: Reuters)