Tel Aviv, September 6, 2024 – A dramatic protest unfolded in Tel Aviv overnight as relatives of Israelis held captive by Hamas took to the streets carrying coffins. The demonstration, driven by recent reports of hostages’ deaths, underscores the mounting frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the hostage crisis.
The protest saw thousands of Israelis demand Netanyahu’s resignation amid growing anger over the government’s failure to secure the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group. Demonstrators, armed with coffins symbolizing the lives lost, have been protesting for three consecutive days, holding Netanyahu accountable for what they view as a botched negotiation effort with Hamas.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently recovered six bodies from an underground tunnel in Rafah, further fueling public outrage. The protesters have accused Netanyahu of repeatedly failing to reach a resolution with Hamas, which they claim has led to the killing of hostages. Demonstrators are calling for urgent negotiations to ensure the release of remaining hostages.
In November, a temporary ceasefire facilitated the release of 105 hostages, and Hamas had previously freed four more. Additionally, the IDF rescued eight hostages alive and recovered the bodies of 37 others, including three whom they claim were shot dead by Israeli forces under the assumption they were Hamas members.
Since the beginning of Israeli retaliatory strikes on October 7, nearly 40,800 Palestinians have been killed, and 94,224 have been injured, with the majority being women and children. The ongoing violence has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, prompting further international calls for intervention and peace efforts.
The protests in Tel Aviv highlight the deepening crisis and the urgent demand from Israeli citizens for effective measures to address the hostage situation and end the violence.
