Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv‘s Hostage Square on Saturday evening for a rally, joined by smaller rallies in Jerusalem and Haifa, demanding the immediate return of roughly 50 hostages still a captive in Gaza. The protesters, including families of captives, recently freed soldiers, and opposition politicians, called for the government to secure an immediate deal to release the remaining captives and agree to a cease-fire with Hamas.
The demonstrations, which were the largest since authorities lifted a two-week ban on mass gatherings imposed during the 12-day Israel-Iran war, saw protesters blocking a main artery in Jerusalem and waving banners rejecting any partial prisoner-exchange deal. Organizers estimated the Tel Aviv crowd at about 30,000 people, making it the largest protest since the emergency rules were lifted following the Israel-Iran conflict that killed 606 people in Iran and 29 in Israel.
Former captive Liri Albag, one of five Israeli soldiers freed during a temporary ceasefire earlier this year, delivered an emotional address to around 2,000 protesters gathered at Hostages Square. Albag urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show the same resolve he displayed against Iran in recent weeks toward finalizing a deal with Hamas. This was the first major protest in three weeks, drawing renewed focus to the plight of roughly 50 Israelis still being held captive following months of conflict.
The protesters, including family members of recently released hostages, addressed the gathering, rejecting any proposal for a partial prisoner exchange and urging Netanyahu to conclude a single, comprehensive deal accompanied by a cease-fire. Demonstrators waved photos of captives, lit smoke flares, and briefly blocked a main roadway in Jerusalem while chanting “Bring them home now”.
The protests come amid a surge in public outcry over the government’s handling of the war and the ongoing captivity of Israelis in Gaza. Many Israelis blame Netanyahu for the mounting number of dead hostages and are calling for a cease-fire agreement to free the remaining captives, even if it means ending the conflict. The fate of the hostages remains a contentious issue, with roughly 49 hostages believed to still be held in Gaza, at least 28 of whom are thought to be dead.