Israeli lives in the balance: Tens of thousands demand a hostage deal

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With fears that every passing moment is gambling with the lives of the hostages, tens of thousands of Israelis are urging the prime minister to sign a deal and bring them home from Gaza before it’s too late.

Following news on Friday that a deal might be imminent, huge gatherings took place in many different locations across Israel on Saturday night demanding a deal. Family members of the hostages spoke before the crowd of thousands in Tel Aviv, some addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly.

“You have the full support of the Israeli nation. Don’t be afraid to make the most moral and most Jewish decision and return our hostages home,” said Ilay David, whose brother Eviatar is still in captivity.

A Channel 12 poll found that 63% of Israelis support a hostage deal, 12% oppose it, and 25% are unsure, according to the rally organizers.

Following the kidnapping of more than 250 people on Oct. 7 of last year, there are 115 hostages still being held in Gaza, of whom 41 have been confirmed as deceased by the IDF. Testimonies from hostages who have been freed or rescued reveal that the violence and sexual assault witnessed by the world in October has continued in Gaza. The families of those still held hostage are determined that their loved ones be returned immediately and at all costs.

A senior official from the Biden administration indicated to the press on Friday that they were very close to a deal with mediators from the United States, Egypt and Qatar. However, many thousands of protestors in Israel have lost patience with the seemingly endless negotiations and demand Netanyahu choose the lives of the hostages over new clauses to the deal.

There were creative displays in what has become known as Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, blaming Netanyahu for those hostages who will never return alive. Others expressed concern that failure to reach a ceasefire deal would result not only in the death of hostages but may trigger a wider regional war.

Eli Albag, father of hostage Liri Albag (19) said: "This is the time for a deal; Hamas wants it, and so do Iran and Hezbollah in their silence. If there is no deal, there will be a terrible war."

Albag rejected dissenting voices, saying, “You have no right to speak until your children are kidnapped. Then, if your children are kidnapped, you can criticize as much as you want, however you want. But as long as your children are not kidnapped, shut up.”

Throughout the 316 days since Oct. 7, protests have taken place weekly and have grown in number and determination. However, there are different groups representing varying perspectives on the matter.

The group, “Kulanu Hatufim,” (We are all hostages) has taken the view that a deal must be immediate, while the “Tikva Forum” supports hostage families while pressing for total victory.

Tzvika Mor, father of Eitan Mor who is being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, expressed his belief that “only a crushing victory that leads to the disintegration of Hamas will free the… hostages from the clutches of the terrorists.”

“What reason will the senior Hamas officials have to release the young men in the next stages, when they know that as soon as they release these human shields, Israel will immediately eliminate the Hamas leadership? I am desperately worried that this deal could kill my beloved child Eitan, along with the other hostages left behind in Gaza after the first stage,” he added.

Other parents like Einav Tsangauker, mother of Matan Tsangauker, feel it is now or never.

She urged the crowd in Tel Aviv: “This is probably the last chance… Don’t give up on them! Bring them back."