Thursday, November 21, 2024

Hostages in Gaza – Families Protest Outside Netanyahu’s Home Amid Growing Tensions

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Families of Hostages in Gaza Held by Hamas Protest Outside Netanyahu’s Home amid Israel Gaza War

Israeli protestors called slogans against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an anti-government demonstration in Jerusalem on November 4 amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)

In a display of frustration over the perceived lack of progress in securing the release of more than 100 hostages in Gaza held by Hamas in Gaza, relatives gathered in protest outside the home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. The families, representing hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7 attack, expressed their discontent with the government’s approach as the conflict in Gaza entered its fourth month.

A group advocating for the hostages’ families stated that they had been pleading for 105 days and now demanded decisive action from the government. Former Israeli army chief Gadi Eisenkot, a member of Israel’s War Cabinet, added to the growing tension by suggesting that a ceasefire might be the only way to ensure the hostages’ release, implying criticism of the current military strategy.

The protest and Eisenkot’s remark are indicative of mounting internal strife in Israel regarding the direction of the prolonged conflict. While Netanyahu has vowed to pursue “complete victory” against Hamas, he has not provided details on how this would be achieved. Critics accuse him of avoiding Cabinet-level discussions on a post-war scenario for Gaza, allegedly to prevent potential conflicts within his right-wing ruling coalition.

The conflict began after Hamas’ October 7 attack, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, in Israel, and the abduction of about 250 individuals from the country’s south. Health authorities in Gaza report nearly 25,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly women and children, due to Israel’s offensive. The extensive military campaign has devastated much of Gaza and displaced over 80% of its 2.3 million population. The Israeli blockade, allowing only limited aid into Gaza, has led to widespread hunger and disease outbreaks, according to United Nations officials.

Netanyahu insists that the only way to secure the hostages’ release is by defeating Hamas militarily. However, families of the remaining captives have intensified their campaign for a negotiated release. In a brief November ceasefire, more than 100 hostages, mostly women and children, were released in exchange for Palestinian women and minors imprisoned by Israel. Israel maintains that over 130 hostages remain in Gaza, with about 100 believed to be alive.

On Friday, the father of a 28-year-old hostage initiated a hunger strike outside Netanyahu’s home, symbolizing the limited food some hostages reportedly receive. The former army chief, Eisenkot, challenged Netanyahu’s assertion that only military action would bring the hostages home, emphasizing the need for a deal and a ceasefire.

As part of the effort to locate hostages, Israel’s military dropped leaflets in Rafah, the southernmost town in Gaza, asking residents for information. The leaflets displayed photos of hostages and suggested benefits for providing information, emphasizing the possibility of a return home.

In Gaza, following a seven-day communications blackout, residents reported heavy bombardment and fighting between militants and Israeli troops. Khan Younis in the south and Jabaliya in the north witnessed intense airstrikes and shelling, forcing many families to flee. Israel withdrew troops from the northern half of Gaza earlier in the week, claiming to have disrupted Hamas command structures. However, ongoing resistance in some areas raised doubts about the feasibility of Israel’s goal to crush Hamas.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, mourners gathered for the funeral of a 17-year-old American Palestinian shot and killed near Ramallah. The circumstances of the shooting remained unclear, with Israeli police investigating an incident allegedly involving an off-duty law enforcement officer, a soldier, and a civilian. The U.S. expressed serious concern about the incident and vowed to gather more information from counterparts in the region.

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