Protesters march to Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem, demanding release of hostages & end of Gaza war

Protesters in Israel held demonstrations on Saturday and marched towards the home of the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. As the war in Gaza continues to escalate, the protesters demanded a prisoner swap deal with Hamas. Apart from this, thousands also gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, demanding the release of hostages, who are still held in Gaza.

The demonstration was held hours after the families of Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip sent a message to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, warning that the plan to occupy Gaza City “will not bring back the hostages but will kill them.”

According to Israel’s Channel 12, the march headed to Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem after the families of hostages held by Hamas gathered on one of the city’s bridges. The families and other demonstrators assembled at the Chords Bridge before setting off on a long march toward the residence of the Israeli premier.

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Protesters demand prisoner exchange

In a bid to bring back the captives held in Gaza, the protesters demanded that Netanyahu engage in a prisoner exchange deal. “Netanyahu must end this nightmare and bring all the hostages back home,” Vicky Cohen, the mother of captive Nimrod Cohen, was quoted by Channel 12.

Protesters went on to carry signs demanding a deal, the need to stop the war in Gaza and the return of the hostages. The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, meanwhile, reported that thousands rallied at Prisoners’ Square in Tel Aviv.

The Israeli news outlet reported that around 1,000 people took part in the demonstration in Karkur Junction in Haifa, demanding a prisoner exchange deal. It is pertinent to note that around 250 hostages were taken to Gaza following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Tel Aviv estimates that nearly 50 per cent of Israeli hostages are being held in Gaza, including 20 who are still reported alive. On Friday, the raging Israel-Hamas war entered day 700, with Israel killing at least 64,300 Palestinians.

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The military campaign has destroyed Gaza to such an extent that the enclave is facing famine and a major humanitarian crisis. In November last year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Apart from this, Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave. The case was brought to the international tribunal by South Africa.