What's happened
Protests erupt in Israel demanding a deal to free hostages held in Gaza, with families and activists rallying against the government's handling of the situation. Tensions rise as Hamas ceasefire proposals are rejected, leading to demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Why it matters
The ongoing protests and demands for a deal to free hostages held in Gaza highlight the emotional toll and political pressure facing the Israeli government. The rejection of Hamas ceasefire offers and the continued captivity of hostages have fueled public outrage and calls for action.
What the papers say
According to The Times of Israel, families of hostages are demanding a deal to bring home their loved ones, while protesters block traffic in Tel Aviv to pressure the government. The Independent reports on the death of a hostage in Gaza and Hamas' commitment to continue ceasefire talks. The New York Times covers family protests in Tel Aviv and the government's deliberations on securing the hostages' release.
How we got here
Since October, around 100 hostages remain in Gaza following a Hamas attack that killed many civilians. The Israeli government has been in talks with Hamas to secure the release of the captives, but tensions have escalated as ceasefire proposals are rejected. Families of the hostages have been actively protesting against the government's handling of the situation.
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.