Sun, 16 February 2025
The Daily Ittefaq

Israelis call for release of hostages captured by Hamas

Update : 10 Dec 2023, 10:55

Relatives of Israelis still being held captive by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza gathered in central Tel Aviv on Saturday evening to call for their release.

Hundreds of people took part in the ceremony at the place that has come to be known as Hostages Square, following regular demonstrations there calling for their release.

Hamas and other groups are still holding nearly 140 people who were captured during the October 7 terror attack on Israel.

Some of the Israeli hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners during a one-week truce that ended on December 1.

Some in the crowd held placards bearing messages like, "They trust us to get them out of hell," and, "Bring them home now." Demonstrator Yoav Zalmanovitz told the AFP news agency that the government "did not care" about the hostages and that ministers just "want revenge."

Zalmanovitz's 85-year-old father, Arye, was taken alive to Gaza and "murdered" there weeks later, Yoav said.

Ruby Chen, the father of 19-year-old hostage Itai Chen, said from the podium: "We are asking the Israeli Cabinet, the war Cabinet, to explain what exactly is on the negotiating table."

"We demand to be part of the negotiation process," added Chen, whose son is a soldier and was taken while on duty. 

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