Latest news with #HostageandMissingFamiliesForum
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Huge crowds gather in Israel calling for hostage deal and end to Gaza war
TEL AVIV — Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in Israel to call for an end to the Gaza war and a deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. The largest crowd was seen in Tel Aviv's "Hostages Square" on Sunday, with the organisers saying the government's plans to seize control of Gaza City risked the lives of around 20 hostages still being held by Hamas. A one-day national strike — part of wider protests — closed roads, offices and universities in some areas. Nearly 40 people were arrested during the day. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the protests, saying they would "harden Hamas's stance" and would only slow down the release of the hostages. Far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich also denounced the protests, describing them as a "harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas". The national strike was demanded by the families of hostages and others opposed to the expansion of the Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading figure in the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, said the group demanded "a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war"."We demand what is rightfully ours — our children," she told the crowd in Tel Aviv. "The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war."She was speaking after a video was released of her son."My heart burns with longing. My whole heart is scorched because of my Matan. Matan, I, an entire nation, we are doing everything we can for you, for all the hostages," she protests came a week after Israel's war cabinet voted to occupy Gaza City, the territory's largest city, and displace its population, in a move condemned by the UN Security of residents have since fled Gaza City's southern Zeitoun neighbourhood, where days of continuous Israeli bombardment have created a "catastrophic" situation, the city's Hamas-run municipality told the least 40 people were killed by Israeli attacks across the territory on Saturday, Gaza's civil defence agency said in a statement that Israeli forces had been carrying out a "sustained offensive in the eastern and southern neighbourhoods of Gaza City, particularly in Zeitoun".The Israeli military said it would begin allowing tents to be brought into Gaza by aid agencies again."As part of the preparations to move the population from combat zones to the southern Gaza Strip for their protection, the supply of tents and shelter equipment to Gaza will resume," the Israeli military body Cogat plans to forcibly displace a million people from Gaza City to camps in the south but it has not provided an exact timetable of when its forces would enter Gaza Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reported to want the entire city under Israeli occupation from 7 least 1.9 million people in Gaza – or about 90% of the population – have already been displaced, according to the international body has indicated there is widespread malnutrition in Gaza, with experts backed by the organisation warning last month in a report that the "worst-case scenario" of famine is playing out in the war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken offensive has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, which the UN considers reliable. — BBC
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Mass protests in Tel Aviv call for end to Gaza war, release of hostages
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday evening in Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the start of the fighting in October 2023. The rally was the culmination of a day of nationwide protests and a general strike to pressure the government to halt the military campaign. 'Bring them all home! Stop the war!' shouted the vast crowd which had converged on the so-called 'Hostage Square' in Tel Aviv plaza -- a focal point for protesters throughout the war. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, the initiator of the day of protest, estimated that about 500,000 people joined the evening demonstration in Tel Aviv -- a figure not confirmed by the police. 'We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours -- our children,' said Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading figure of the protest movement. 'The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war,' she told the crowd. National media published a video message by Matan Zangauker on Sunday, in which the hostage, weak and emaciated, addressed his family and told them he missed them. The video was filmed by Hamas and found in Gaza by the army, the family said. 'This is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages,' demonstrator Ofir Penso, 50, told AFP. A day of protests The protests come more than a week after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, 22 months into a war that has created a dire humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group vowed Sunday that protesters would 'shut down the country' with the goal of bringing back the hostages and ending the war. Throughout the country, demonstrators blocked traffic arteries, set tires on fire and clashed with the police. More than 30 protesters were arrested, law enforcement said. In many places, though, AFP journalists saw businesses carrying on unimpeded. In Jerusalem's main shopping district, it was business as usual. A shop assistant in the city center said the owner supported the campaign for the hostages' return but chose not to participate in the strike. 'Everyone is helping the way they can,' she said, declining to give her name. Netanyahu slammed the protesters, saying their actions 'not only harden Hamas's position and draw out the release of our hostages, but also ensure that the horrors of October 7 will reoccur.' Egypt said in recent days mediators were leading a renewed push to secure a 60-day truce deal that includes hostages being released, after the last round of talks in Qatar ended without a breakthrough. Some Israeli government members who oppose any deal with Hamas slammed Sunday's demonstrations. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich decried 'a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas' and calls for 'surrender.' However, Benny Gantz, an opposition leader, condemned the government for 'attacking the families of the hostages' while 'bearing responsibility for the captivity of their children by Hamas for nearly two years.' Famine warnings The Israeli plan to expand the war into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps has sparked an international outcry as well as domestic opposition. On Sunday, Israeli military chief of staff Lieutenant General Eya Zamir said the army was moving ahead with a plan 'focusing on Gaza City.' Hamas warned it would result in 'a new wave of extermination and mass displacement.' Army Radio said residents would be evacuated before troops encircled and seized Gaza City in the coming weeks, with tens of thousands of reservists called up. UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has heavily limited the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in. Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli fire on Sunday killed over sixty Palestinians, including at least 37 waiting to collect food aid near two sites. The conflict began with Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, during which 251 people were taken hostage. Forty-nine captives remain in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas's assault resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's offensive has killed more than 61,944 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to figures from the health ministry in Gaza which the United Nations considers reliable.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Massive protest in Tel Aviv as thousands demand Gaza war end and hostage release
Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Sunday, demanding an end to the Gaza war and the release of hostages, in what is being called the country's largest protest since October 7. Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled Tel Aviv's streets on Sunday evening, demanding an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, one of the largest protests in Israel since fighting began in October 2023. The rally capped a day of nationwide demonstrations and a general strike aimed at pressuring the government to halt its military campaign. 'Bring them all home! Stop the war!' chanted the huge crowd gathered in 'Hostage Square', a plaza that has become the focal point for protests throughout the war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, which organised the day of action, estimated that around 500,000 people joined the evening rally in Tel Aviv — though police did not confirm the figure. 'We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours — our children,' said Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading figure in the protest movement. 'The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war,' she told the crowd. National media broadcast a video message by her son, filmed by Hamas and later recovered by the Israeli army in Gaza. Looking weak and emaciated, he told his family he missed them. The protests came days after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, 22 months into a war that has plunged the territory into a deep humanitarian crisis. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum vowed that demonstrators would 'shut down the country' until the government secured the hostages' release and ended the war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Across Israel, protesters blocked highways, burned tyres and clashed with police. Authorities said more than 30 were arrested. In other areas, daily life continued largely undisturbed. In Jerusalem's main shopping district, businesses stayed open. 'Everyone is helping the way they can,' said a shop assistant, who declined to give her name. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the protests, arguing they 'not only harden Hamas's position and draw out the release of our hostages, but also ensure that the horrors of October 7 will reoccur'. Mediators, led by Egypt, have been pushing for a 60-day truce that would include hostage releases, after previous talks in Qatar collapsed. The conflict began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,219 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Israel says 49 captives remain in Gaza, including 27 confirmed dead. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 61,944 Palestinians, the majority civilians, according to figures from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, which the UN deems reliable. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Mass rally in Tel Aviv demands end to Gaza war and hostage release
TEL AVIV: Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday evening in Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the start of the fighting in October 2023. The rally was the culmination of a day of nationwide protests and a general strike to pressure the government to halt the military campaign. "Bring them all home! Stop the war!" shouted the vast crowd which had converged on the so-called "Hostage Square" in Tel Aviv plaza – a focal point for protesters throughout the war. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, the initiator of the day of protest, estimated that about 500,000 people joined the evening demonstration in Tel Aviv – a figure not confirmed by the police. "We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours – our children," said Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading figure of the protest movement. "The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war," she told the crowd. National media published a video message by Matan Zangauker on Sunday, in which the hostage, weak and emaciated, addressed his family and told them he missed them. The video was filmed by Hamas and found in Gaza by the army, the family said. "This is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages," demonstrator Ofir Penso, 50, told AFP. The protests come more than a week after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, 22 months into a war that has created a dire humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group vowed Sunday that protesters would "shut down the country" with the goal of bringing back the hostages and ending the war. Throughout the country, demonstrators blocked traffic arteries, set tyres on fire and clashed with the police. More than 30 protesters were arrested, law enforcement said. In many places, though, AFP journalists saw businesses carrying on unimpeded. In Jerusalem's main shopping district, it was business as usual. A shop assistant in the city centre said the owner supported the campaign for the hostages' return but chose not to participate in the strike. "Everyone is helping the way they can," she said, declining to give her name. Netanyahu slammed the protesters, saying their actions "not only harden Hamas's position and draw out the release of our hostages, but also ensure that the horrors of Oct 7 will reoccur." Egypt said in recent days mediators were leading a renewed push to secure a 60-day truce deal that includes hostages being released, after the last round of talks in Qatar ended without a breakthrough. Some Israeli government members who oppose any deal with Hamas slammed Sunday's demonstrations. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich decried "a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas" and calls for "surrender." However, Benny Gantz, an opposition leader, condemned the government for "attacking the families of the hostages" while "bearing responsibility for the captivity of their children by Hamas for nearly two years." The Israeli plan to expand the war into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps has sparked an international outcry as well as domestic opposition. On Sunday, Israeli military chief of staff Lieutenant General Eya Zamir said the army was moving ahead with a plan "focusing on Gaza City." Hamas warned it would result in "a new wave of extermination and mass displacement." Army Radio said residents would be evacuated before troops encircled and seized Gaza City in the coming weeks, with tens of thousands of reservists called up. UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has heavily limited the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in. Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli fire on Sunday killed over sixty Palestinians, including at least 37 waiting to collect food aid near two sites. The conflict began with Hamas's Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel, during which 251 people were taken hostage. Forty-nine captives remain in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas's assault resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
RTHK
2 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
Mass rally in Tel Aviv calls for end to Gaza war
Mass rally in Tel Aviv calls for end to Gaza war A drone view shows people protesting to demand the return of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza. Photo: Reuters Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday evening in Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, in one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the start of the fighting in October 2023. The rally was the culmination of a day of nationwide protests and a general strike to pressure the government to halt the military campaign. "Bring them all home! Stop the war!" shouted the vast crowd which had converged on the so-called "Hostage Square" in Tel Aviv plaza – a focal point for protesters throughout the war. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, the initiator of the day of protest, estimated that about 500,000 people joined the evening demonstration in Tel Aviv – a figure not confirmed by the police. "We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours – our children," said Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading figure of the protest movement. "The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war," she told the crowd. National media published a video message by Matan Zangauker on Sunday, in which the hostage, weak and emaciated, addressed his family and told them he missed them. The video was filmed by Hamas and found in Gaza by the army, the family said. "This is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages," demonstrator Ofir Penso, 50, told AFP. The protests come more than a week after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, 22 months into a war that has created a dire humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group vowed that protesters would "shut down the country" with the goal of bringing back the hostages and ending the war. Throughout the country, demonstrators blocked traffic arteries, set tyres on fire and clashed with the police. More than 30 protesters were arrested, law enforcement said. Netanyahu slammed the protesters, saying their actions "not only harden Hamas's position and draw out the release of our hostages, but also ensure that the horrors of October 7 will reoccur". Some Israeli government members who oppose any deal with Hamas slammed Sunday's demonstrations. Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich decried "a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas" and calls for "surrender". However, Benny Gantz, an opposition leader, condemned the government for "attacking the families of the hostages" while "bearing responsibility for the captivity of their children by Hamas for nearly two years". The Israeli plan to expand the war into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps has sparked an international outcry as well as domestic opposition. On Sunday, Israeli military chief of staff Lieutenant General Eya Zamir said the army was moving ahead with a plan "focusing on Gaza City". Hamas warned it would result in "a new wave of extermination and mass displacement". Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli fire on Sunday killed over sixty Palestinians, including at least 37 waiting to collect food aid near two sites. (AFP)
