Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Tel Aviv and several other Israeli cities on Saturday, demanding immediate government action to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
Speaking at the main rally in Tel Aviv, Eli Sharabi, a former hostage taken during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks, issued an emotional plea for urgent action.
“The window of opportunity to bring home all 50 hostages, living and dead, is open now, and it won’t be for long,” he said, as reported by Israeli daily Haaretz.
Sharabi endured 16 months in captivity before being freed in February. After his return, he was devastated to learn that his wife and two young daughters had been killed during the October assault.
His brother, Yossi, remains among the victims whose bodies are still being held in Gaza.
Directing his remarks at Israel’s leaders, Sharabi added, “You were elected to serve this people. With humility, with modesty. It is arrogance that brought disaster upon us – and we must not return to this pattern of behaviour.”
Official Israeli estimates confirm that 50 individuals abducted on October 7 are still in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive.
Currently, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are underway in Doha, Qatar, focusing on a proposed 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 surviving hostages along with the remains of others.
However, informed sources told the German Press Agency on Saturday that talks had reached a deadlock, with both sides accusing each other of stalling the process.
Anger among the public has grown, with demonstrators holding Netanyahu’s government responsible for the delays in bringing the hostages home.
