On Sunday, anti-government protesters gathered in Jerusalem, demanding the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Among the protesters were family members of hostages held in Gaza, adding a poignant dimension to the demonstrations.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who is currently the opposition leader, urged the Israeli government to pay attention to the protesters' demands. He highlighted the presence of families of hostages at the rally, emphasizing their pleas for action.
Danny Elgarat, the brother of one of the hostages, Itzhak Elgarat, directly addressed Netanyahu, calling for an end to corruption and urging the prime minister to prioritize the safe return of the hostages.
Outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, thousands of protesters gathered, carrying flags and banners with messages demanding the immediate return of the hostages. The emotional plea on one banner stated, 'Bring everyone home now. Without returning the hostages, Israel doesn't have a justification to exist.'
During the demonstrations, the Israel Police reported the use of pyrotechnic items near the protesters, leading to the arrest of one individual on suspicion of involvement in the incident.
Separately, the family of an Israeli female soldier held hostage in Gaza expressed disappointment following a meeting with Netanyahu. The soldier's father revealed that after six months of negotiations, no progress had been made, raising concerns about the slow pace of the negotiations.
The ongoing protests and the poignant stories of the families of hostages have intensified the pressure on Netanyahu's government, highlighting the urgency of addressing the issue of hostages in Gaza.
