Protesters call for Israeli government to do more to secure release of loved ones, as south of Gaza sees worst violence since war began

Family members of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip have stormed a parliamentary meeting in Jerusalem to demand that Israel’s government does more to return their loved ones, as fighting in Khan Younis reached unprecedented levels.

About 20 relatives of people seized as captives by the Palestinian militant group in the 7 October attack disrupted a Knesset finance committee meeting on Monday, chanting: “Release them now, now, now!”

One woman, who has three family members taken by Hamas, cried: “Just one I’d like to get back alive, one out of three.” Other protesters held up signs reading: “You will not sit here while they die there.”

On Sunday, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected new Hamas conditions for ending the war and releasing the hostages including the Islamist group retaining control of Gaza and Israel withdrawing completely. In response, a Hamas official in Qatar said Netanyahu’s refusal to end the military offensive in Gaza meant there was “no chance for the return of the captives”.

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  • nonailsleft@lemm.eeEnglish
    37·
    5 months ago

    Honestly, the one thing that really surprises me about this war is how little the Israeli government cares about the hostages.

    There were 10 times as many Israelis killed in Hamas’ attack in a single day that there are hostages left. They’ve also said they will keep performing such attacks for as long as they can.

    Sad as it is for the individuals, I think Israel considers them lost and the last thing they want to do is prove Hamas right for what they did