Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied outside Israel’s Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday, renewing calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a ceasefire in Gaza that would allow the return of hostages taken during the Hamas offensive on Gaza. 7 Oct
One protester held a sign calling Mr Netanyahu an “enemy of Israel”, while others covered themselves in fake blood and bandages and lay in the street.
Relatives and family members of hostages have held weekly street protests since October to pressure the government to bring their loved ones home. Some hostages were released under a temporary ceasefire in November and others were rescued. But more than 100 remain in Gaza. It is unclear how many are still alive.
Noah Argamani, a hostage rescued on June 8, called for the release of the remaining captives in a video by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, which represents families of hostages held captive in Gaza.
“We have to do everything possible to bring them back home,” Ms Argamani said in the video. She was abducted and taken to Gaza along with her partner, Avinatan Or, on October 7. He is still being held.
Efrat Yahalomi, the sister of Ohad Yahalomi, a French-Israeli hostage taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz, said it was “incredibly painful” to know the Israeli hostages were being held captive.
“It’s been almost nine months, and I’m still standing here with a heavy heart, while you, Ohad, are still not here,” he said in a statement released by the forum.
