Protesters in Israel Demand Freedom for Hostages and Government Change Again

Thousands of people in Israel gathered on Saturday night, May 22, in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and several other cities to support the families of hostages held by the extremist group Hamas in Gaza. They urged their government to continue negotiations to reach an agreement for the release of these captives. The protesters also called for early parliamentary elections to change the government and the prime minister. They demanded the resignation of ministers from moderate parties who joined the government coalition in support of the Israeli army during the war, claiming that these ministers, like Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, were also responsible for the deaths of the hostages in captivity. Israeli media reported that 30 people were arrested during the protests in Tel Aviv for blocking the country's main highway, including four family members of the hostages. The temporary detainees were quickly released. Just hours before these actions, the extremist group Hamas released a short video of its hostage, 51-year-old Israeli Nadav Poplov, who stated his name. Hamas claimed that this hostage had died in captivity last month due to a lack of medicine and treatment. Currently, 132 Israeli citizens remain hostages out of 253 who were abducted by Hamas during a surprise attack on Israeli territory on October 7 of last year. The Israeli army has officially informed families of the deaths of 38 of them. President Biden stated that if Hamas releases the hostages, a ceasefire in Gaza could be possible 'tomorrow.' Hagit and Ruby Hen, the parents of Itai Hen, a young Israeli man whose death in captivity has been confirmed by the Israeli army, stated at the protest in Tel Aviv that they would not hold a religious ceremony for their son's passing until they received his body. Reserve General Amos Yadlin, former head of the Israeli military intelligence, spoke in support of the hostage families at a protest in Kfar Saba, claiming that the prime minister 'has no feelings for the abductees.' Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized in an interview on the American program 'Dr. Phil' that the release of Israeli citizens held hostage by Hamas is a priority in his plans to defeat Hamas. According to Haaretz and the Israeli army radio, despite the fruitlessness of last week's negotiations in Cairo for a possible deal with Hamas that could lead to the release of some hostages, Israel has not left the negotiating table and a government team has been tasked with continuing talks in the coming days. Reports from Israeli media and regional Arab sources suggest that the next round of negotiations may take place in Doha, the capital of Qatar, but this has not yet been officially announced by Qatar, Egypt, or the United States, who were mediators in last week's failed negotiations in Cairo. The U.S. president stated on Saturday that if Hamas releases the hostages, a ceasefire in Gaza could be possible 'tomorrow.' Hamas, viewed as a terrorist group by the U.S. and the European Union, insists on a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Israeli soldiers from Gaza for any minor deal. Israel insists that it will not allow Hamas to regain control of Gaza and jeopardize the security of the country.