Thousands March in Jerusalem, Urging Release of Israeli Hostages Held by Hamas
Relatives, friends, and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip gathered in Jerusalem on Saturday after completing a five-day march from Tel Aviv. Around 20,000 marchers, joined by well-wishers along the way, aimed to put pressure on the Israeli government to take decisive action and secure the release of the captives.
Noam Alon, a march participant whose girlfriend was abducted, expressed the urgency of the situation and the expectations of the families. He emphasized the need for the government to engage with them and outline their plans to bring the hostages home, stating, We cannot wait any longer, so we are demanding them to do that now, to pay any price to bring the hostages back.
It is estimated that approximately 240 Israelis, including people of all age groups, are currently being held captive in the Gaza Strip. They were taken hostage during a Hamas cross-border raid on October 7, which resulted in the death of 1,200 individuals. Concerns are mounting among the relatives and friends of the captives, who fear for their safety amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas. The Israeli government, on the other hand, claims that the offensive operation enhances the chances of securing the release of the hostages, potentially through a mediated prisoner exchange.
Criticism has been directed towards the government for its inability to anticipate the Hamas assault. One notable figure present at the march was opposition leader Yair Lapid, who has been generally supportive of the military action but has demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Negotiations are currently underway, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, to secure a potential prisoner swap. However, the anxiety among campaigners and relatives has been exacerbated by Hamas’s recent statements, suggesting that some of the hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.
Campaigner Stevie Kerem expressed frustration over the lack of communication and transparency from the Israeli government, stating, It’s impossible that there are 240 kidnapped people and the government — our government — isn’t talking to (the relatives), isn’t telling them what’s going on, what’s on the table, what’s on offer, what are the reasons for and against. Nothing.
Among the participants was Adriana Adri, whose 85-year-old mother-in-law was taken by Hamas. Adri emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, We are marching to Jerusalem to bring her back, to shout and to say that she must be here. We don’t have time, we don’t have one hour more, we don’t know if she is alive.
Despite the weariness and frustration displayed by marchers, there is a glimmer of hope. Meirav Leshem-Gonen, whose daughter is among the hostages, expressed gratitude for the support they received, saying, I’m happy with the fact that we have the whole of Israel around us. This is what will count in the end.
As the march concludes, it remains to be seen how the Israeli government will respond to the demands of the families and the mounting pressure to secure the safe return of the hostages. The situation continues to evolve amidst ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
