As negotiations in Cairo regarding a ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip flounder, thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government make more efforts to secure the release of prisoners held by Hamas or resign immediately.
Protests Sweep Through Tel Aviv
Family members of the prisoners, carrying pictures of their detained relatives, joined the crowds protesting in Tel Aviv. Among them was Neama Weinberg, whose relative Itai Sverdlov was captured during the Hamas attack on October 7th and killed while in captivity, according to Israeli authorities. In a speech, she referenced a video released by Hamas on Saturday, announcing the death of an Israeli prisoner. Weinberg stated, “Soon.. even those who have managed to survive this period will no longer be among the living.. they must be saved now.”
Netanyahu heads to Rafah despite escalating protests demanding a prisoner deal.
This occurred while some protesters blocked a major highway in the city before police dispersed them, using water cannons to clear the crowd. At least three people were arrested.
End of Negotiation Session
The indirect negotiation session in Cairo concluded on Thursday with the departure of representatives from Israel and Hamas, without reaching an agreement. On Friday, Hamas announced that Israel’s rejection of the latest proposal for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in the Gaza Strip had reset the situation, prompting them to “reconsider their negotiating strategy.” While Hamas had agreed on Monday to a truce proposal presented by mediators, Israel confirmed that this proposal was “far from” its demands, repeatedly opposing a permanent ceasefire as long as Hamas is not defeated.
