The streets of Tel Aviv have become tense demanding the release of Israeli hostages trapped in the Gaza Strip. Thousands of Israeli citizens took part in a demonstration that lasted for several hours on Saturday (July 5).
The protesters demanded a full and final prisoner exchange agreement from the government, which would ensure the release of all hostages, both living and dead.
The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the protesters were demanding a “comprehensive and indiscriminate agreement” that would ensure the release of all, not just partial ones.
The relatives of the hostages also took part in the demonstration, who took to the stage and called on the government to take swift action. They demanded that a full agreement be reached with Hamas without further delay and the hostages be returned.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government has announced that it is sending a delegation to Doha to discuss the prisoner exchange with Hamas. Mediators said they were optimistic about the possibility of a deal as the two sides moved closer.
Israel estimates that there are currently about 20 Israeli hostages in Gaza, although the real number could be around 50. On the other hand, more than 10,400 Palestinians are being held in Israeli prisons. According to human rights organizations, many of these prisoners have died from torture, food shortages and medical neglect.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has been carrying out a bloody offensive in Gaza since last October, which many are describing as genocide. More than 57,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza so far, most of them women and children.
Source: Anadolu Agency