Protesters in Tel Aviv blocked a road on Wednesday, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to secure a prisoner swap deal with Palestinians. The protest, which included relatives of Israeli captives held in Gaza, took place near the Likud Party headquarters. Demonstrators carried banners, including one stating, “The cabinet of death is killing hostages,” reflecting growing frustration with the lack of progress in negotiations.
The unrest follows the Israeli army’s announcement of the recovery of six hostage bodies in southern Gaza, which Hamas claims were killed by Israeli airstrikes. Over 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with fears that some may have been killed.
Efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and prisoner exchange, led by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, have stalled as Netanyahu refuses to meet Hamas’ conditions. Despite a UN call for a cease-fire, Israel continues its offensive in Gaza, where over 40,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, and severe shortages of essential supplies are ongoing.
Israel is currently facing accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.–News Desk