Mass Protests Planned in Israel to Demand Prisoner Swap Even at Cost of Ending War
Families of hostages urging Netanyahu’s government to prioritize return of their loved ones
Families of Israeli captives held in Gaza on Friday announced plans for mass demonstrations across Israel on Saturday to pressure the government into securing a deal that guarantees their return, even if it requires ending the war.
In a post on X, the families said “dozens of rallies and protests will be held nationwide to demand the hostages’ return,” adding that the main demonstration is planned to take place in Tel Aviv, central Israel.
The families are urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to prioritize releasing the captives – alive and dead – from Gaza, even if it means halting the onslaught on the Palestinian enclave.
The protests coincide with growing dissent over Netanyahu’s war policies. Palestinian Hamas group has declared its readiness to immediately begin “comprehensive package negotiations” to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Israel has killed more than 51,000 Palestinians in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that Israel says claimed 1,200 lives and around 251 were taken as hostages.
Israel’s military resumed its ground and aerial offensive on Gaza in March, abandoning the January ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, which was reached after mediation by the US, Qatar and Egypt.
Israeli officials say the offensive will continue until the remaining 59 hostages are freed.
Meanwhile, a number of Israelis have signed multiple petitions demanding the return of captives from Gaza, even if that means halting the war.
A Maariv newspaper poll published on Friday showed that 62% of Israelis support releasing all captives in one batch, even at the cost of ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza.
