Thousands of people protested in Israel on Saturday against a new military offensive against Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
At the central rally in Tel Aviv, the forum of hostages and missing families was called, and relatives who were worried about their loved ones for 581 days now also spoke.
According to an official Israeli figure, 59 hostages are still held in the Gaza Strip, but only 24 are considered alive.
Ilan Dalal, the father of an Israeli man, was kidnapped in 2023 after the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, and his son and other hostages remain in direct danger.
He added: “They may be killed by bomb attacks by Israeli troops. Terrorists may hear Israeli troops coming to murder.
Speaking to the Prime Minister, Dalal said, “You are an elected official and you have to listen to the public. The public speaks out loud: ‘Everyone! Now! Now!’ Now it’s time to make the brave and necessary decisions to end the war and bring everyone home.”
Another hostage mother said, “Don’t sacrifice our children.”
Earlier, the Family Forum issued a statement warning that the Israeli government’s strategy could lead to political and moral failure.
It asserted: “A historic opportunity wasted as Israel continues to insist on continuing the war in Gaza and abandoning hostages.”
