Thousands Flood to Streets in Tel Aviv to Urge for Hostage Deal
(MENAFN) Tens of thousands of Israelis flooded central Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling for an urgent agreement to secure the release of all captives held in the Gaza Strip, according to several media outlets.
Demonstrators began their march from Hostage Square and made their way to the US Embassy branch on HaYarkon Street, demanding a comprehensive resolution to the ongoing crisis, media reported.
Protesters held signs and shouted slogans, demanding an end to the war and the immediate return of hostages. Among those in attendance were individuals previously held by Hamas and later released, who joined in the march.
Many demonstrators issued direct appeals to Israeli leadership and to US President Donald Trump, urging swift action toward securing a lasting and complete deal.
The outlet noted that additional rallies unfolded in various locations across the country, including Karkur Junction and Rothschild Street in Caesarea, drawing hundreds more demonstrators in solidarity.
For the past 21 months, Israel and Hamas have engaged in multiple rounds of indirect talks aimed at halting the war and arranging a prisoner swap. Two interim agreements were reached in November 2023 and again in January.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—currently wanted by the International Criminal Court—abandoned efforts to finalize the latest deal and reignited military operations on March 18.
Hamas has consistently reiterated its willingness to release all Israeli captives “in one batch” if Israel agrees to end what the group calls genocide and fully withdraw its forces from Gaza.
Despite mounting international pressure for a ceasefire, Israel has continued its aggressive campaign in Gaza since late 2023, resulting in nearly 59,000 Palestinian deaths, the majority of whom are women and children.
The ongoing airstrikes and ground operations have devastated the territory, triggering widespread famine and the outbreak of diseases.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.
Simultaneously, Israel is also being tried at the International Court of Justice in a high-profile genocide case linked to its actions in the enclave.
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