War has been going on between Israel and Gaza for the past one year. Thousands of civilians have died in this war which started after Hamas’ attack in October last year, while many people from both sides are still hostages. The people of Israel are now frustrated with this situation and lakhs of people have come out on the streets to protest against the government. The biggest protests ever are taking place in the capital of Israel. In these protests, about 7 lakh 50 thousand people have come out on the streets and are demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government should make an agreement as soon as possible to release the remaining prisoners in Gaza.
The outpouring comes a week after the Israeli army announced the recovery of the bodies of six prisoners from a tunnel in southern Gaza. Family members of Israeli prisoners and groups representing them are accusing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government of failing to reach a deal. They say Netanyahu is unable to ensure the release of prisoners. According to the Israeli army, more than 100 prisoners are still left in Gaza. However, it is estimated that about a third of them have been killed by Hamas terrorists.
So far 40,000 people have lost their lives
Earlier, under an agreement reached last November, Hamas had released a total of 105 prisoners in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Palestinian fighters led by Hamas had taken about 240 people captive after the attack in southern Israel on October 7. At least 1,139 people were killed in this attack. Since then, Israel has carried out continuous attacks in Gaza in which more than 40,000 Palestinians have died. More than 600 people have also died in Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank and the army has detained about 10,000 Palestinians.
Netanyahu still adamant
Protest organisers say half a million people attended rallies in Tel Aviv and 250,000 in other cities across the country. According to a report by Al Jazeera, most protesters say they will continue protests until the government listens to their demands and changes its policy. According to reports, crowds have been seen in protests in the last week but Netanyahu says military strikes are still the main method to bring the remaining detainees back home and no agreement for their release is still in sight.
We will not forgive – protesters
“The prime minister came to the families of the detainees a few days ago and said sorry we couldn’t bring them back alive. But what kind of apology is that if you don’t intend to change your ways?” a released prisoner told a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, before adding: “We will not forgive.”
