Tens of thousands in Israel rally for release of hostages, raise concerns over far-right's interference

Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets demanding the release of all hostages as Israel and Hamas work on engaging in indirect ceasefire talks. The hopes of the hostage release have been high after the Palestinian militant group partially accepted US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace proposal.

On Saturday, protesters gathered at the central rally in Tel Aviv, as well as in Haifa, Jerusalem and in northern Israel, Haaretz reported. While speaking at the Tel Aviv protest at Hostage Square, released hostages Gadi Moses and Omer Shem Tov, as well as Einav Zangauker, mother of the Israeli hostage Matan, urged Israeli authorities to ensure the smooth release of the hostages.

It is pertinent to note that these weekly demonstrations are taking place amid preparation for new ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas of Trump’s peace deal. As done before, the talks will be mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt.

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The timeline is crucial

Both Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas have maintained that they would agree to some of the American deal’s clauses. In light of this, Israel has also scaled back operations in Gaza City on Saturday, and Hamas said it would be willing to release all Israeli hostages.

However, it is still unclear how the parties would address the issues that have previously torpedoed the ceasefire efforts. The issues between the two sides include timelines for hostages’ release and an IDF withdrawal and control of Gaza after the war.

For example, Trump’s proposal outlines all hostages’ release within a 72-hour time frame, but a senior Hamas official has reportedly called the move “unrealistic,” Haaretz reported.

At the Tel Aviv rally, Einav Zangauker, mother of Israeli hostage Matan, emphasised how important the timing of the hostage release is. “I want to share with you that I’m dying of fear, " Zangauker told the crowds, which organisers said reached 100,000 people. “But because of all of you, the families of the hostages are a bit less afraid.”

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“My whole body is filled with longing for your laughter, my child,” she told her son. “I miss drinking coffee with you and asking what you feel like eating, I miss your arms that come to hug and how you protect your sisters.” Ahead of the demonstration, Zangauker expressed concern that far-right Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir would attempt to thwart the ongoing procedure.

“We have never been this close to getting Matan and all the hostages back,” she said in a statement outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. “These are critical days, the saboteurs of negotiations are mobilising to pressure Netanyahu – we must stand as a wall against them … We cannot rely on Trump alone. I call on the citizens of this country – take to the streets with us.”