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Jerusalem, Israel – In a dramatic escalation of protests over the ongoing hostage crisis, demonstrators blocked the entrance to Jerusalem on Sunday evening, while others marched through Tel Aviv carrying symbolic coffins.
The protests were ignited by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announcement that the bodies of six hostages had been retrieved from Gaza, deepening fears and frustrations among the families of those still held captive by Hamas.
The Hostage Family Forum, a group representing the families of the captives, reported that nearly 300,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv on Sunday, demanding immediate action from the Israeli government to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
The mass protest called for an urgent deal to be reached with Hamas, the militant group holding the hostages, amid rising fears for their safety.
Protests Block Key Roads Across Israel
The wave of protests, which started in Jerusalem, swiftly spread to Tel Aviv, where demonstrators took to the streets in large numbers.
Among the most dramatic scenes were those on the Ayalon Highway, one of Israel’s busiest roads, where the Women’s Protest for the Hostages blocked traffic and set bonfires.
The group carried large posters featuring the faces of the hostages, turning the highway into a powerful display of public anguish and determination.
Israeli police responded by trying to disperse the crowds, resulting in confrontations with protesters.
Fifteen people were arrested, according to local news outlet N12. A policewoman was injured during attempts to clear the Ayalon Highway and was taken to a hospital for further treatment.
The protest on the Ayalon Highway, which lasted for several hours, drew widespread attention, forcing police to deploy additional resources to regain control of the area.
Despite the disruption, protesters remained steadfast in their calls for a hostage deal, with some chanting “No more delays, deal now!”
Six Hostages Confirmed Dead
The protests were fueled by the tragic news confirmed by the IDF on Sunday that six hostages had been killed while in captivity in Gaza.
According to the IDF’s initial assessment, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Ori Danino were alive in captivity for nearly 11 months before being killed shortly before IDF forces reached their location.
This grim revelation sent shockwaves through the nation and added urgency to the demands of the protesters. The families of the deceased hostages were devastated, while others with loved ones still in captivity were left grappling with fear and uncertainty.
The Hostage Family Forum issued a statement urging the government to “take all necessary steps to ensure no more lives are lost.” Their statement emphasized the growing sense of desperation among families as the crisis drags on without resolution.
Protests Spread Nationwide
Protests were not limited to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Demonstrators also gathered at various junctions across the country, including the Ra’anana Junction on Highway 4.
The national protests reflect the widespread anger and frustration among Israelis, who are increasingly vocal in their criticism of the government’s handling of the hostage situation.
In Ra’anana, protesters blocked major roads and chanted for immediate action. The scene was repeated at dozens of locations across the country, as demonstrators made their voices heard in a bid to pressure the government into making a deal with Hamas before more hostages are killed.
Labor union head Arnon Bar-David and the head of the Kibbutz Movement were among those scheduled to speak at a major rally outside the IDF Kirya headquarters in Tel Aviv. The event, organized by the Hostage Family Forum, was aimed at drawing attention to the hostages’ plight and urging the government to act swiftly.
Confrontations with Police
As the protests escalated, Israeli police faced increasing challenges in maintaining order. In Tel Aviv, the situation grew tense when police attempted to clear protesters from the Ayalon Highway.
Stun grenades were used to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to several demonstrators, including MK Naama Lazimi, who was hit by a grenade and thrown to the ground.
Lazimi, a vocal supporter of the hostage families, required medical treatment following the incident. Her office released a statement condemning the use of force by the police and calling for restraint in dealing with peaceful protesters.
Despite the police’s efforts, the protests continued for several hours, with demonstrators refusing to leave until their demands were heard.
As night fell, the Ayalon Highway remained blocked, and bonfires lit by protesters cast an eerie glow over the tense standoff between police and demonstrators.
Government Response and Future Actions
In response to the growing unrest, the Israeli government issued a statement calling on protesters to “evacuate the streets immediately and disband the illegal protest, which is infringing upon others’ freedom of movement.”
The statement stressed the importance of maintaining order and ensuring that critical infrastructure, such as roads and highways, remained operational.
By late Sunday night, Israeli police confirmed that the Ayalon Highway had been reopened, and that traffic was once again flowing in both directions.
However, the protests showed no signs of abating, with organizers vowing to continue their demonstrations until a deal is reached to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
The hostage crisis has become a major political issue in Israel, with the government’s handling of the situation coming under intense scrutiny.
The public outcry has added pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet to take decisive action, even as negotiations with Hamas remain fraught with difficulty.
As the protests continue, the families of the hostages remain at the forefront of the national conversation, their voices amplified by the thousands of supporters who have joined them in calling for a swift resolution to the crisis.
With tensions high and emotions running deep, the Israeli government faces a critical challenge in balancing the demands of the protesters with the complexities of securing the release of the hostages.
For the families, each passing day is a reminder of the fragility of the situation, and the stakes could not be higher.
The nation watches anxiously, hoping for a breakthrough that will bring the hostages home safely, while the streets of Israel remain filled with the echoes of protest and the cry for justice.