Thousands of people once again demonstrated in several Israeli cities for the release of the Hamas hostages – and against the Netanyahu government. Meanwhile, negotiations with Hamas are apparently set to continue.
Thousands of people demonstrated in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities for the release of hostages held by the militant Islamist Hamas and against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Relatives of the hostages held in the Gaza Strip called for a new hostage deal and called on the government to act quickly.
Several demonstrations spread across Tel Aviv and blocked the coastal metropolis’s central traffic arteries. At some rallies there were chaotic scenes between police and demonstrators. In some places, people set small fires, set off smoke bombs and chanted for the release of the abducted people. The police also used water cannons to break up individual gatherings. The important Ajalon city highway was also blocked at times.
The demonstrators lit fires in some places.
“You’re out of time, we’re out of time”
Relatives of the hostages kidnapped in the Gaza Strip accuse Netanyahu and his government of not doing enough to secure their release. “Our prime minister has forgotten that he is also the prime minister of 134 hostages,” a relative said at a rally. “They’re out of time, we’re out of time. Do something now, we need you!”
Elsewhere, several thousand people demonstrated against the Netanyahu government and called for early elections. On a large screen, they played a video excerpt from the speech of US Senator Chuck Schumer, who said he believed early elections were in Israel’s interest. A group of war veterans set up a dummy tank in front of the military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Hundreds of people also gathered in front of President Izchak Herzog’s residence in Jerusalem. Dozens of demonstrators blocked streets there and, according to media reports, were dragged off the street by police.
Continuation of negotiations in Qatar
Meanwhile, international participation is working hard on an agreement for a ceasefire. Talks on a deal are expected to continue today with the participation of high-ranking participants from Israel and Hamas in Qatar, Reuters news agency reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Expected participants at the meeting in Doha are the head of the Israeli secret service Mossad, David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and representatives of Egypt.
Hamas had agreed to a six-week ceasefire and to exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. As a Hamas representative told AFP, under such an agreement, 42 Israeli hostages – women, children, the elderly and the sick – could be exchanged. In return, 20 to 50 Palestinian prisoners should be released for every Israeli hostage released. One hostage should be released per day. Hamas had previously called for a permanent ceasefire before any more hostages were released.
Israeli Security Cabinet meets before traveling to Doha
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed Hamas’ proposal as “unrealistic.” Nevertheless, the Israeli security cabinet is scheduled to meet to determine the position of the Israeli delegation before its trip to Qatar. Prime Minister Netanyahu has convened the “War Cabinet and the Security Cabinet” “to decide on the mandate of the delegation,” Netanyahu’s office said.
According to Israeli media reports, the meeting of the five-member war cabinet is scheduled for 6 p.m. (local time, 5 p.m. CET). Netanyahu’s office said on Friday that a delegation would travel to Doha after a security cabinet meeting to “discuss Israel’s position.” Pictures released by the office showed that the War Cabinet and the Security Cabinet met on Friday. However, no decisions were communicated after the meetings.