Dozens of protesters gathered outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence on Monday to call for a deal to secure the release of all hostages.
The rally took place ahead of Netanyahu’s trip to Washington, where the Israeli Prime Minister is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump.
Also on Monday, Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel on October 7th, killing more than 1,250 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
Israeli authorities say 24 hostages are believed to be alive.
At the demonstrations, we saw protesters reading the names of people Hamas in Gaza still holding, asking for a deal to secure their release.
Among them was Gill Dickman, cousin of Carmel Gutt, the deceased hostage, who urged action from Trump.
“A year and a half, a year and a half have passed. There is only one word that can be yelled “fully enough.” It’s enough for this nightmare, enough to abandon it, and bring all of them back home,” Dickman said.
The moment of truth has come. Your moment of truth has come,” said Varda Ben Balph, grandmother of Edan Alexander, an Israeli hostage.
“You’re in the US. You have to sit with President Trump and sign a contract so that everyone is released into the house. I look forward to this.”
Last month, Israel broke a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and launched a surprising fire in the Gaza Strip after efforts to pressure extremists to accept new ceasefire conditions. The White House supports Israel’s stance.
Israel vowed to escalate the Gaza conflict until Hamas returned all the remaining hostages, disarmed and left the strip.
Video Editor Lucy gave