‘You will not sit here while they die there’, families of hostages cry in Knesset
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A group of approximately 20 relatives of Israelis held hostage in Gaza by Hamas stormed a parliamentary committee session in Jerusalem. The impassioned demonstration took place on Monday, shedding light on the growing frustration and anger among families over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to negotiate with the Palestinian group amid the prolonged Gaza war, now in its fourth month.
One woman held up pictures of three family members who were among the 253 individuals seized during the cross-border Hamas rampage on October 7. While a week-long truce in November led to the release of around 100 hostages, approximately 130 individuals remain held in Gaza.
The protesters, dressed in black T-shirts, displayed signs reading, "You will not sit here while they die there," and passionately chanted, "Release them now, now, now!" Their fervent demands highlight the deep emotional strain on families as the conflict persists.
Despite mediation efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, there seems to be no reconciliation between the two sides. Netanyahu remains firm on continuing the campaign until Hamas is destroyed, while the Palestinian group insists on Israel's withdrawal and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
The fate of the hostages, with Tel Aviv reporting 27 deaths in captivity, has captured the attention of the nation. Concerns among relatives are rising as war fatigue threatens to divert attention from their plight. Demonstrations, initially fostering national unity, have taken on a more aggressive tone.
The chaotic scene unfolded in the Knesset Finance Committee, with parliament ushers standing by as protesters disrupted proceedings. Committee chairman Moshe Gafni, emphasizing the importance of redeeming captives, attempted to calm the situation but cautioned against quitting the coalition.
Beyond official buildings, families and supporters rallied near Netanyahu's residence in West Jerusalem, urging the government to engage in negotiations and secure the release of hostages. Some demonstrators have also called for a unilateral end to the war or an election to potentially topple the current government.
On Sunday, Netanyahu rejected Hamas' conditions to end the war, including Israel's complete withdrawal and leaving Hamas in power in Gaza. In response, the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum demanded a clear statement from Netanyahu, insisting that abandoning the hostages would require honest communication with the Israeli public.