Israelis renew protests against government as Gaza fighting continues without hostage deal

Weekly protests against the government took place in Tel Aviv and other cities across Israel once again on Saturday night. 

The demonstrations, which come just days after the release of a video by hostage families showing the capture of five female IDF spotters during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, focused primarily on the hostage situation and the failure to reach a hostage release deal. 

While the largest demonstration sites were in Tel Aviv, there were also rallies in Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheva, and near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in the coastal city of Caesarea. 

The release of the video depicting the five IDF soldiers being abducted by Hamas terrorists sparked outrage across Israel. 

Eyal Eshel, father of the female soldier Roni Eshel, spoke during the Tel Aviv rally, where he addressed Netanyahu and told him to "take responsibility and resign immediately.”

"The terrible videos from the capture of the soldiers in Nahal Oz emphasize the failures that were built up layer by layer.” He also referred to several media reports indicating that “Netanyahu was warned countless times before October 7,” Eshel said.

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is a hostage in Gaza, referred to a video, shared by Netanyahu’s son Yair, in which a masked reserve soldier threatens mutiny against IDF and defense leaders, saying, “while the prime minister's son calls for mutiny in the IDF, my son is held hostage in Gaza.” 

Zangauker noted the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice against Israel, and said, "If the government doesn’t reach a deal now, Israel will in the end be forced to end the war without the return of hostages."

Ayelet Levy, mother of hostage Na’ama [one of the IDF soldiers], appealed to Israeli leaders to “show courage and determination” in getting the hostages back. 

"We don't have time, they don't have time," Levy said. “I appeal to the decision-makers, to the war cabinet, be kind. Show courage and determination like Na'ama and like her friends there in Hamas captivity, and get our daughters back, now.” 

Sasha Ariev, sister of Karina [another one of the spotters], apologized to her sister as she addressed the crowds. 

“I'm sorry that we have reached a situation where we are almost eight months into the war, and you and many more hostages are still in Gaza,” she said. 

She also apologized to her sister because the video needed to be released. "We need to expose you like this in these horrific moments,” and added, “It is worth making people understand how urgent it is for you to return.” 

Despite the ICJ ruling ordering Israel to halt its military incursion into Rafah that risks “physical destruction in whole or in part” of the civilian population, the IDF will continue operations in Rafah, hoping to uncover information on the whereabouts of the remaining hostages. 

However, Israel also appears committed to hostage negotiations. Mossad Director David Barnea recently met with CIA chief William Burns, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Paris, France, to discuss resumption of hostage negotiations. 

According to an unnamed Israeli official who spoke with The Times of Israel, negotiations for a hostage release and a truce in Gaza will resume next week. 

Hamas issued a statement denying any timeline for resuming negotiations.