Large hostage release demonstrations criticized by Netanyahu

Thousands of Israelis expressed their solidarity on Sunday with the hostages held by Hamas and others militants in the Gaza Strip with strikes and protests across the country that were criticized by Israel’s prime minister and others.

Demonstrators blocked numerous roads across Israel, including a major highway in the coastal city of Tel Aviv. They waved blue-and-white Israeli national flags as well as yellow flags symbolizing solidarity with the hostages.

More than 200,000 demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv alone on Sunday evening, according to police estimates published by the organizers.

Demonstrators loudly called for an end to the Gaza war and the immediate release of the Hamas hostages, journalists at the scene reported.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Hostage Square in central Tel Aviv and called on international decision makers to pressure Hamas to release the hostages. “I want to tell the world: Stop the hypocrisy!”

Netanyahu, Smotrich criticize protesters

The protests were criticized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

“Those who are calling for an end to the war today without defeating Hamas, are not only hardening Hamas’s stance and pushing off the release of our hostages, they are also ensuring that the horrors of the October 7 will recur again and again, and that our sons and daughters will need to fight again and again in an endless war,” he told a Cabinet meeting.

Smotrich described the protests in a post on X as a “bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas’s hands.”

The protesters urged the Israeli government to reverse its decision to capture Gaza City and other areas of the Gaza Strip, as the hostage supporters believe this will endanger the some 20 hostages believed to still be alive.

On Sunday, the Israeli military outlined its expansion plans.

Hostage families speak out

“The Israeli government never made a serious attempt to release the hostages through a comprehensive agreement,” said Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is one of 20 living hostages in the Gaza Strip, in her speech. “It turned the most justified war into a false one.”

“We will bring the country to a standstill,” she said.

The aunt of Israeli-German hostage Alon Ohel pleaded for his rescue, describing his dire condition: “He is bound in chains, severely wounded, and likely to lose his sight. He is suffering from severe head injuries and shrapnel throughout his body, and he is alone. He is hungry, hot and gasping for breath. His life is in imminent danger – save him!”

During a rally at Hostage Square, the sister of an agricultural student from Nepal abducted to Gaza during the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023, spoke publicly for the first time. Fighting back tears, she said the family has received no sign of life from him for almost two years.

Several former Hamas hostages, released during a ceasefire in the spring, held a banner reading: “Bring them home now!”

Big trade union sympathetic but not on strike

Although the powerful Histadrut trade union federation did not join the strike, it expressed understanding for the action.

Numerous businesses and municipalities went on strike as a show of solidarity. The two major theatres in Tel Aviv also halted their performances.

More than 30 arrests were reported across Israel on Sunday.

In Jerusalem, water cannons were used against protesters. The organization representing the families of the hostages had called for a nationwide strike on Sunday, the start of Israel’s working week.

Actress Gal Gadot meets with hostage relatives

Israeli Hollywood actress Gal Gadot, 40, also visited the square in Tel Aviv to meet with relatives of the hostages. A video shared by the Hostage Families Forum showed Gadot comforting the wife of a hostage, holding her hands with a smile and then embracing her tightly.

According to Israeli information, of the 50 abducted individuals, only 20 are still alive.

Plans to expand Gaza offensive

The Israeli government is preparing to expand its offensive in the Gaza Strip in the coming weeks. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, the war has already killed around 62,000 Palestinians.

Israel’s stated goal with the new offensive is to capture Gaza City and other areas of the coastal territory, in order to crush Hamas’ remaining strongholds.

Authorities have begun planning the relocation of civilians. The Israeli military body COGAT announced on X that deliveries of tents and other shelter equipment would resume on Sunday as part of preparations for evacuations from combat zones.

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over ending the war and releasing the hostages have so far failed.