Israelis rally for hostage release amid optimism for gaza ceasefire deal
Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday, urging action to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
The demonstrations came as hopes rose for a breakthrough in ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations after over 14 months of war.
“We all can agree that we have failed until now and that we can reach an agreement now,” Israeli actor Lior Ashkenazi told the crowd. Itzik Horn, whose sons are among the captives, pleaded, “End the war. The time has arrived for action and to bring everyone home.”
Of the 251 hostages abducted during Hamas’s October 2023 attack, 96 remain in Gaza, including 34 confirmed dead by the Israeli military. Qatar, acting as a mediator, recently reported new “momentum” in the talks.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Jordan, said, “This is the moment to finally conclude that agreement.” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also held discussions with US officials to advance a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.
The war, triggered by Hamas’s attack that killed 1,208 people, has seen Israel’s retaliatory campaign claim over 44,930 lives in Gaza, with the majority reported as civilians, according to UN-verified figures from the Hamas-run health ministry.
The demonstrations reflect growing pressure on Israeli leaders to conclude the negotiations and prioritize the safe return of captives while exploring pathways to de-escalate the ongoing conflict.
