Thousands of Israelis demand Netanyahu release hostages held in Gaza

A new wave of mass demonstrations erupted in Israel, with the largest rally in Tel Aviv attracting thousands of participants.

Protesters demanded immediate action from the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

The most significant demonstration took place near the government complex in eastern Tel Aviv, where participants waved Israeli flags and held posters depicting the portraits of fellow citizens who have been held in Gaza for over 10 months. Alongside calls for the government to meet the demands of Palestinian radicals to expedite the return of the kidnapped, there were also demands for the government's resignation and for new elections to be held.

Smaller-scale protests were reported in various cities across Israel, including Haifa, Nes Tziona, and on sections of intercity highways. These demonstrations occurred despite the looming threat of an attack from Iran, amid escalating regional tensions.

The Israeli army has reassured the public that there are no significant changes to the current instructions for the civilian population, allowing mass gatherings to continue as planned.

It is believed that 111 of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of 39 confirmed dead by the IDF.

Hamas released 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that. Seven hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 24 hostages have also been recovered, including three abductees mistakenly killed by the military as they tried to escape their captors.

Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two IDF soldiers who were killed in 2014.