Thousands of Israelis demand hostage deal, police arrest at least 12

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Thousands of Israeli protesters stood outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem for the second consecutive day to demand an immediate deal for the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza. Others gathered outside of Netanyahu’s additional residence in the coastal town of Caesarea.

The large protests come after Hamas terrorists executed six Israeli hostages in Gaza, including dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin less than 48 hours before they might have been rescued by IDF soldiers. Some protesters lit bonfires and chanted, “May their memories be a revolution.” One protester held a sign stating “F**k this sh*t! Stop the war. Free Gaza from Hamas, free us from Bibi.”

Violence erupted between protesters and police officers amid the emotionally charged demonstration outside of Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem. Police officers reportedly used considerable force to disperse the protesters and arrested at least a dozen individuals. Medical staff evacuated one protester who was bleeding from the forehead.

The Israel Police argued that some of the protesters had “made attempts to march toward nearby streets, without coordinating with the police.”

“Some of the protesters began disturbing the peace, crossing fences, clashing with the police and lighting flares,” the police added in its official statement.

Shai Mozes, whose uncle Gadi Mozes is being held captive by Hamas terrorists, accused Netanyahu of endangering the lives of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

“The citizens of Israel are taking to the streets because they have realized that their prime minister decided to abandon Israeli citizens to their deaths,” Mozes said, addressing the large crowd. He blasted Netanyahu for his refusal to withdraw Israeli troops from the Philadelphi Corridor, calling it a decision guided by his desire for “political survival.”

“He made this decision contrary to the position of all senior members of the defense establishment, and while fully aware of the cost,” Mozes stated.

The Philadelphi Corridor – a narrow strip stretching along the border between Gaza and Egypt – is a strategic location as it constitutes a lifeline for the Hamas terrorist organization, enabling operatives to smuggle large quantities of weapons and dual-use goods into the coastal enclave.

Addressing the Israeli public on Monday, Netanyahu apologized to the families of the murdered hostages for failing to rescue them from Gaza alive.

However, at the same time, Netanyahu stressed that Israel needs to maintain control of the Philadelphi Corridor “or we are going to have another 7th of October and another 7th of October and another 7th of October, as Hamas has promised to do.”

On Oct. 7, at least 1,200 Israeli men, women and children were killed, and about 250 people were kidnapped during the Hamas-led invasion and attack on southern Israeli border communities.

Israeli authorities believe that 97 of the original 251 hostages remain in Gaza. The number of those still alive is unclear, but the IDF has already confirmed the deaths of at least 35 hostages, whose bodies are currently held by Hamas.

It was initially believed that approximately 3,000 Gazans crossed the border and participated in the terror attack, however, the IDF revised its assessment earlier this week, reporting that 6,000 Gazans invaded Israel on Oct. 7. The State of Israel declared war against Hamas on the same day.