Protests in Several Israeli Cities; Families of Hostages Demand End to Gaza War

The 'Times of Israel' reported that a number of mothers and families of hostages still held by Hamas gathered on Saturday, June 5, in their weekly protests across several cities in Israel, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to end the war even without an agreement. These protests, described by 'Times of Israel' as anti-government demonstrations, took place in various cities including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Qisaria, and Rehovot. According to the report, protesters called for the ousting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, early elections, and the release of hostages held in Gaza. Police arrested several protesters during the main demonstration in Tel Aviv. Organizers claimed that over 80,000 people participated in the Tel Aviv protest, although 'Times of Israel' did not confirm this figure. In Tel Aviv, alongside the demonstration in Democracy Square, a gathering was held at 'Hostage Square' outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art led by families of some of the 125 hostages still held by terrorists in Gaza. Afterwards, families issued a statement to the press outside a military headquarters on Begin Street. Inav Zangavker, mother of a hostage named Matan and a prominent figure in the 'Hostage Freedom Movement,' stated, 'We must understand once and for all that the conditions have not changed. Without an end to the war, no agreement for the release of hostages will be achieved.' In Jerusalem, hundreds gathered in Paris Square outside Netanyahu's official residence. Tom Barkai, the main organizer of the 'Association of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons' in Jerusalem, told the crowd that while he is concerned about the fate of the hostages, he and others at the gathering will 'undoubtedly continue to fight for the return of the hostages.' At the Rehovot demonstration, retired General Yair Golan, a former Knesset member and now a leading candidate for the Labor Party leadership, stated, 'Netanyahu has been evading decision-making for years... He will not change anything, and he will not take action to rectify the situation.' The Gaza war began on October 7 of last year following a Hamas attack, a group supported by the Islamic Republic, on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 252 individuals. Israel, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, EU countries, and Japan have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. According to 'Times of Israel,' it is believed that 121 hostages abducted by Hamas remain in Gaza, not all of whom are alive. 105 civilians were released during a one-week ceasefire last November. Four hostages were released prior to that. Three hostages were rescued alive by Israeli soldiers, and the bodies of 19 hostages have been found, including three who were mistakenly killed by the army. The Israeli army has confirmed the deaths of 37 hostages still held by Hamas based on new information and findings obtained by active forces in Gaza. One person has been missing since October 7, and there is still no information on their fate. Hamas has held the bodies of two Israeli soldiers, Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, for over ten years, as well as two missing Israeli civilians, Oura Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who both entered Gaza of their own accord in 2014 and 2015. Recent developments regarding negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages suggest a possibility of resuming ceasefire talks based on 'new proposals' in the coming days. The Israeli army states that military operations in Gaza continue, with Israeli tanks advancing in Rafah amid intense fighting in northern Gaza. Israel has reported the discovery of the bodies of three more hostages in Gaza. Mike Johnson stated that Netanyahu will speak in the U.S. Congress.