Dozens of Israelis attempted to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza through the Nitzana Crossing between Israel and Egypt.
The protest group “Tzaf9” stated in a release, “Today, hundreds of aid shipments and supply trucks will not enter Hamas territory. We are proud and moved by the people’s resolve prevailing; no aid will enter until the last hostage is returned,” as reported by The Times of Israel on Friday.
The protesters are against the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a region where the conflict has displaced 85% of its 2.3 million inhabitants.
Hostages taken during a Hamas attack on October 7 remain captive, according to the Israeli newspaper.
Large demonstrations, both in support and opposition of a potential deal with the Palestinian movement Hamas concerning Israeli captives in Gaza, took place across Israel on Thursday evening. Israeli media reported, “Thousands protested in Jerusalem against negotiations with Israel’s enemies and in favor of continuing the war on Gaza.”
Simultaneously, hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv advocating for an agreement to release hostages still held in Gaza. According to reports, demonstrators also blocked roads in the coastal Israeli city, signaling a deeply divided public sentiment on the issue.
In a meeting convened by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh, top Arab diplomats, including Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and the Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee Hussein Al-Sheikh, united in their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
The consultative ministerial meeting focused on the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, with ministers stressing the urgent need to halt the conflict and ensure a comprehensive ceasefire.
