Israeli protesters lose patience, demand elections following failed hostage negotiations

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The urgency of bringing back the hostages, a goal seemingly in tension with the need to decisively address the threat from Hamas, has led thousands of anti-government protesters to insist on new elections in Israel.

The devastating news of the six Israeli hostages killed in captivity, several of whom were elderly grandparents, has broken hearts and sparked outrage. The message, “You could have saved them,” has been blasted by tens of thousands of protesters after the men’s bodies were recovered from Gaza early last week. After negotiators failed, yet again, to secure a deal in Cairo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of thwarting the talks.

Each week huge crowds have rallied at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, demanding the hostages be brought back home at all costs, with many protesting in other cities across Israel. Three arrests were made at the protest last weekend.

It is still unknown how many of the 105 being held hostage in Gaza since the terror attack on Oct. 7 are still alive. The IDF has confirmed that 34 are no longer alive.

A deal between Israel and Hamas has been sought with negotiators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States but a sticking point seems to be control of the Philadelphi Corridor, which was captured by Israeli troops at the end of May. The narrow strip of land, which is just under nine miles long, runs along the border with Egypt and has served as the main route for weapons smuggling into Gaza.

During a call last Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly asked Netanyahu to withdraw the IDF from the area.

According to the Times of Israel, the Lebanese pro-Hezbollah Al Mayadeen news outlet indicated that the talks between negotiators and Hamas did not lead to “any clear progress.”

Hamas representatives allegedly told mediators they remained committed to the plan outlined on July 2, and that the terror group “rejects any presence of IDF forces in the Philadelphi Corridor.”

A previous proposal had not insisted on Israel’s presence in the area, but Netanyahu has become determined to keep troops there.

Those protesting are in support of flexibility regarding the matter, with family members of hostages frustrated with Netanyahu. Some believe the prime minister may be stalling on purpose. Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan, furiously dismissed the matter by saying, “This isn’t the Philadelphi Corridor, it’s the Philadelphi spin.”

The ongoing stalemate has led many to protest against the government and call for new elections.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid lent his support to the protesters in Tel Aviv at the weekend, saying, “Mr. Prime Minister, go to Cairo yourself, don’t send anybody. Close a deal now.”