The Israeli army said on Friday it had recovered the bodies of three hostages killed on October 7 in Gaza, while the United Nations court ruled that Israel must end its military operations in Rafah and allow humanitarian aid to enter the enclave.
Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against the Israeli government, demanding more action for Hamas hostages.
Carrying photos of female soldiers who appeared in a video released earlier this week describing their kidnapping, as well as banners reading “Stop the war”, Protesters demanded the government reach an agreement to free dozens of hostages.
The protesters also demanded the resignation of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and demanded new elections.
“After seeing the video, we could not stay at home after the government abandoned these people”said Hilit Sagi, a member of the activist group “Women Protest for the Return of All Hostages”, who participated in the demonstration.
Israelis are increasingly divided on how Prime Minister Netanyahu handled the war against Hamas after the deadly attack on October 7, which left around 1,200 people dead and 250 hostages.
“In fact, they are not doing enough to bring the hostages back, whether through military force or through hostage agreements, negotiations, nothing is being done“said Snir Dahan, Carmel Gat’s uncle, who is still in captivity in Gaza.
Bodies of three other hostages recovered
Start of the week, the bodies of three hostages killed on October 7 were found in Gazathe Israeli army said Friday, as the United Nations court ruled that Israel had to end its military operations in Rafah and allow humanitarian aid to enter the enclave.
The bodies of Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum and Orion Hernandez Radoux have been found and their families have been informed.
The army said they were killed on the day of the attack at the Mefalsim intersection and their bodies were taken to Gaza.
This announcement comes less than a week after army says it has found bodies of three more hostages Israelis killed on October 7.
About half of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas and other militants on October 7 have been released, most in exchanges for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel during a week-long ceasefire in November.
Israel says around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 others.
