On Thursday evening, thousands of protesters across Israel marked 300 days since the devastating October 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in significant loss of life and numerous hostages taken.
The demonstrators, including many relatives of those still held captive in Gaza, took to the streets to call for urgent government action on a hostage release and ceasefire agreement.
In Tel Aviv, hundreds of protesters marched through the city, carrying yellow ribbons and photos of the hostages. The marchers gathered at the Begin intersection near the IDF’s Kirya headquarters before converging at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square for the main rally.
The families of hostages, visibly distressed, bound themselves in chains to symbolize the ongoing suffering of their loved ones in Gaza. A 40-meter-long flag was unfurled, counting each day since the conflict began as a powerful reminder of the prolonged ordeal.
Similar protests unfolded across the country, including in Jerusalem, Beersheba, and Herzliya. In Jerusalem, hundreds marched from the First Station complex to the Great Synagogue, dressed in white and waving yellow flags and ribbons.
The event, organized by the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a hostage, featured a solemn recitation of prayers and songs of hope and remembrance led by musician Aharon Razel.
At the Hostages Square rally in Tel Aviv, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum presented a poignant video from January, showing a previous gathering of hostage families at the southern border, shouting through giant loudspeakers in hope of communicating with their loved ones in Gaza. This video underscored the ongoing anguish and desperation of the families.
Nissan Calderon, a survivor of the October 7 attack whose brother Ofer Calderon remains captive in Gaza, delivered a fervent address criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for delaying a resolution.
Calderon accused the government of failing to fulfill its duty to return the 115 Israeli citizens held by Hamas. “The contract has been breached. Close the deal,” Calderon demanded. He condemned the lack of progress and called for immediate action to bring the hostages back home.
Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, an American-Israeli soldier killed and abducted by Hamas on October 7, also voiced his frustration. Chen recounted a recent meeting with Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden, during which he expressed the family’s refusal to mourn traditionally until his son’s remains were returned.
Chen’s impassioned plea for action resonated deeply with the crowd, highlighting the personal and emotional toll of the ongoing crisis.
The protests come amid heightened tensions and accusations from both sides. The recent killings of senior Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Muhammad Deif by Israeli strikes, have intensified the conflict. Egypt and Qatar, involved in mediation efforts, have warned that these actions undermine progress toward a hostage release and ceasefire.
Emmanuel Navon, a political science professor at the University of Tel Aviv, acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “We do not know if we were really close to an agreement before Haniyeh was eliminated,” Navon said. “We also don’t know if Israeli military pressure is getting us closer to liberating the hostages than the negotiations.”
The IDF has confirmed the death of Muhammad Deif, a senior Hamas military commander, in a strike last month. Iran has blamed Israel for the assassination of Haniyeh, though Israel has not commented on the allegation. The ongoing violence and political maneuvering have created a volatile environment, complicating efforts to secure a resolution.
As the protests continue, the families of the hostages remain resolute in their demand for action. Their demonstrations are a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for a resolution that addresses both the immediate crisis and the broader challenges facing Israel and Gaza.
In the face of mounting pressure, Netanyahu’s government faces a critical test in balancing military objectives with diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages and bring about a ceasefire. The ongoing protests reflect a deepening national crisis and the imperative for decisive action in the months to come.