Families of hostages are demonstrating outside the official residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The families are protesting in front of the PM’s residence, opposing Israeli military actions in Gaza City, fearing for the safety of their loved ones held by Hamas.
The protesters include relatives of 48 individuals who are hostages in Gaza. Parents of Matan Zangauker, Matan Engrest, and Rom Braslavsky, along with other relatives, are sleeping on the streets. Due to the police not allowing tents, they spent the night there in sleeping bags, and the hostage families refuse to move.
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The Israel-Hamas conflict has led to 65,000 fatalities.
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and the taking of over 250 civilians as hostages. Palestinian health officials report that more than 64,000 people have died in Israeli attacks in Gaza. Approximately 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced due to these attacks.
On the subject of a Gaza ceasefire agreement:
Hamas indicated in August that it agreed to a deal providing for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, during which 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 deceased hostages would be handed over to Israel. In return, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu stated that any agreement would be accepted only if all of his conditions were met, including Hamas disarming and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. Despite this, the hostages have not been released even after a month.