Five Hundred Days After Hamas Attack; Israelis Protest in Support of Ceasefire Extension

On the five hundredth day after the extremist group Hamas attacked Israeli territory and the war in Gaza began, a large number of people in Israel protested across the country in support of extending the ceasefire and the release of more hostages. On Monday, February 29, protesters blocked a major intersection in Tel Aviv, and some demonstrators organized a 500-minute hunger strike in solidarity with hostages still held by Hamas. Ohad Ben Ami, one of the Israeli hostages who was freed about 10 days ago, told Israeli President Isaac Herzog, "All I want is the freedom and return of my friends. Six of us lived in an unbearable situation in a six-meter space. I was freed, but they are still captive." He added that the hostages count not the days of captivity but the minutes and seconds. Hamas released three more hostages in exchange for the freedom of 369 Palestinian prisoners. Recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU, Hamas is expected to release 33 more Israeli hostages in the remaining time of the first ceasefire phase in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Since the ceasefire was established, the Israeli army has withdrawn from most parts of Gaza, allowing for an increase in humanitarian aid transfers. However, both sides have yet to begin final negotiations regarding the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire. In the second phase, Hamas is expected to release over 70 more hostages, half of whom are believed to be dead, while Israel must release more Palestinian prisoners and fully withdraw from Gaza, leading to a permanent ceasefire. According to the Associated Press, the Israeli and U.S. governments have sent conflicting messages regarding their willingness to continue the ceasefire or resume war. Both have emphasized their main goals of destroying Hamas and returning all hostages, but some experts believe these two goals are incompatible. In the Hamas attack and that of other Palestinian militant groups on Israeli soil on October 6 last year, around 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians, were killed, and about 250 were taken hostage. More than half of the hostages were freed through negotiations with Hamas, and only eight were rescued in military operations. Although Hamas has been significantly weakened, it still controls Gaza. The group has stated that it is willing to hand over governance to other Palestinian groups or entities but will not accept the establishment of an occupying force. According to health statistics from Palestinian institutions controlled by Hamas, at least 48,000 Palestinians, more than half of whom were women and children, have been killed due to Israeli attacks on Gaza. These institutions do not disclose the number of militants killed. As a result of Israeli attacks, much of the strip has been destroyed, and according to international organizations, about 90% of its 2.3 million population has been displaced. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, has proposed relocating all residents of Gaza to other countries, transferring ownership of the area to the U.S., and rebuilding it. The Israeli government welcomed this plan, but all Palestinian factions and all Arab countries unanimously opposed it. Experts and human rights groups say implementing such a plan would be a gross violation of international law. Mr. Trump believes that Gaza is currently uninhabitable. The U.S. President stated that if Palestinians are to return to Gaza, it may take years for the area to become habitable again. According to the Associated Press, his plan has raised further doubts about the continuation of the ceasefire and achieving subsequent agreements between Israel and Hamas. If Hamas concludes that Israel will soon resume war with the aim of expelling all Palestinians from Gaza, it may not release other hostages, who are the only bargaining chips.