Israelis Demand Ceasefire and Return of Captives from Hamas
In Tel Aviv, Israelis have taken to the streets in large numbers, demanding a ceasefire deal and the return of captives held by Hamas. The protesters chanted ‘Now! Now!’ and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal with the Palestinian group Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.
Scuffles between the protesters and security forces were reported on Sunday night in one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in Israel since the Gaza war began nearly 11 months ago. Many protestors blocked roads in Tel Aviv and demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s office in West Jerusalem.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing the families of captives held in Gaza, said the death of six hostages was the direct result of Netanyahu’s failure to secure a deal to halt the fighting and bring their loved ones home. ‘They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity,’ the forum said.
Gil Dickmann, a cousin of Carmel Gat, whose body was among those returned, urged Israelis to put more pressure on their government. Dickmann posted on X, ‘Take to the streets and shut down the country until everyone returns. They can still be saved.’
Meanwhile, in a first since October 7, Israel’s largest trade union federation, the Histadrut, has called for a general strike to pressure the government into signing a ceasefire deal.
The Israeli military has killed at least 40,738 people and wounded 94,154 in its war on Gaza since October 7. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, with some 250 people seized by the group.
Doubts Revealed
Israelis -: Israelis are people who live in Israel, a country in the Middle East.
Ceasefire -: A ceasefire is an agreement to stop fighting for a certain period of time.
Captives -: Captives are people who have been taken and held by someone, in this case, by Hamas.
Hamas -: Hamas is a group that controls the Gaza Strip and often has conflicts with Israel.
Tel Aviv -: Tel Aviv is a big city in Israel where many important events and protests happen.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -: Benjamin Netanyahu is the leader of Israel’s government.
Hostages and Missing Families Forum -: This is a group of people whose family members are missing or held captive, and they work together to find them.
Gil Dickmann -: Gil Dickmann is a person related to one of the victims who is speaking out for more action.
Histadrut -: Histadrut is Israel’s largest trade union, which means it is a big group that represents workers.
General strike -: A general strike is when many workers stop working to demand something, like better conditions or changes in government actions.
Casualties -: Casualties are people who are hurt or killed in a conflict or accident.
