Tens of thousands of Israelis converged at Hostages Square in central Tel Aviv Saturday evening for one of the largest anti-war demonstrations since the beginning of war in Gaza. The crowd included bereaved families, hostage relatives, activists and ordinary citizens raising their voices simultaneously to demand an immediate ceasefire and release of hostages still held there.
Hostages Square, which has become the focus of weekly protests since last October’s conflict began, was packed with demonstrators carrying banners reading “Bring Them Home” and “End The War Now.” Many held photos depicting 120 hostages still believed to be in Gaza along with placards criticizing their government’s handling of this conflict.
Civil society groups, opposition parties, families of hostages, and former military officers and lawmakers took turns speaking at this protest held by civil society groups, opposition parties, families of hostages, and former military officers from both Israel and Gaza who took part in Hamas-led attack against southern Israel on October 7th. Emotions ran high as they called for negotiated agreements to put an end to all this bloodshed and secure their release.
“Our government made promises that hostages were its top priority, but all we’ve seen so far are endless military operations without any real progress being made in bringing them home,” according to Rami Shani, father of an soldier believed to be in Gaza. “Enough. We need an agreement not more funerals.”
The war in Gaza, now entering its ninth month, has left over 37,000 Palestinians dead according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and caused widespread destruction across entire neighborhoods, worsening humanitarian disaster and further traumatizing Israelis who still remember October 7’s deadly terrorist attack that resulted in over 1,100 casualties and the capture of hostages. This incident still haunts us today and we cannot forget its impact.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly asserted that military pressure is the only effective means of pressuring Hamas into freeing hostages. Yet many protestors point out that war only leads to further suffering for both sides and no clear path toward either victory or peace.
Saturday night’s demonstration came amid reports of renewed indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. U.S. President Joe Biden recently supported a multi-phase ceasefire proposal which includes hostage release, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and long-term reconstruction initiatives there; but Netanyahu remains divided with far-right coalition partners opposing any deal which might leave Hamas in power.
Even amid police warnings and elevated tensions, the rally remained relatively peaceful. Protesters lit candles and sang songs of peace while others chanted slogans calling for new elections and accountability from government officials. Meanwhile, nearby counter-protesters waved Israeli flags and voiced support for ongoing military operations.
As the war drags on with no clear resolution in sight, public pressure within Israel appears to be growing. At Hostages Square, families voiced their urgency: time is running out for hostages held captive in Gaza as well as for Israel as a nation.
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