Thousands rally in Israel, call for immediate hostage swap deal with Hamas
Mass protests swept across central Israel until Tuesday night, with thousands of demonstrators demanding a hostage exchange deal with Hamas.
In Tel Aviv, protesters blocked Begin Road, chanting slogans like “Bring them back alive” and “Netanyahu has abandoned them.” Clashes broke out with police, resulting in arrests.
Similar protests erupted in Rehovot, Herzliya, and Ra’anana, with demonstrators calling for the release of captives held by Hamas in Gaza.
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The protests intensified after the Israeli army announced the recovery of six dead captives from Gaza, sparking widespread outrage and accusations that the government failed to secure their safe return.
The international community has been pushing for a prisoner exchange and ceasefire deal, but efforts have stalled due to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’s demands.
Despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza has persisted since the October 7 Hamas attack.
The consequences have been catastrophic, with local health authorities reporting over 40,800 Palestinian fatalities, predominantly women and children, and nearly 94,300 injuries.
The prolonged blockade of Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, causing severe shortages of essential supplies like food, clean water, and medicine, leaving the region in ruins.
Israel is facing allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has specifically ordered a halt to military operations in Rafah, a southern Gazan city that had provided refuge to over 1 million Palestinians before being invaded on May 6.
