A group of relatives of Israelis held hostage in Gaza stormed a session of the parliamentary finance committee in Jerusalem on Monday, demanding that lawmakers do more to try to free their loved ones. The action, by about 20 people, marks growing internal dissidence in the fourth month of the Gaza war.
A woman showed photos of three relatives who were among the 253 people captured in the October 7 Hamas attack. About 130 remain in captivity after others returned home during a truce last November, although another 27 have died in Gaza, according to Israel. “Only one that I would like to recover alive, one in three!” the woman cried. Other protesters, dressed in black T-shirts, held signs that read: “You will not sit here while they die there.” “Release them now, now, now!” they have chanted.
Efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to mediate another release appear far from successful. Meanwhile, families and supporters have begun camping in front of Prime Minister Beniamin Netanyahu's house, as well as in front of the Knesset (Parliament) building.
The usual weekend protests demanding the release of hostages have been reinforced in recent weeks by demonstrations calling for elections that could topple the government.
On Saturday night, thousands of people protested in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem, calling for elections. In the Knesset yesterday, parliamentary ushers, often quick to remove hecklers or protesters, stood by.
