The family members yelled, “You won’t sit here while they are dying there!” as they entered a meeting of the Finance Committee in the Jerusalem Knesset.
“You won’t sit here while they are dying there!” was their shout as they stormed into a Finance Committee meeting in the Jerusalem Knesset.
“Just one I’d like to get back alive, one out of three!” exclaimed the woman, holding up pictures of her three kidnapped family members.
“Release them now, now, now!” shouted other demonstrators.
During the storming of the Knesset committee, parliamentary ushers, who are frequently quick to eject hecklers or protesters, stood by.
Family members erected a protest tent in Jerusalem on Sunday night and promised to remain there until an agreement was reached by the government to release the remaining hostages.
On October 7, Hamas launched a border raid and captured about 250 hostages. After some were repatriated during a truce in November, about 130 people are still in Gaza. According to Israel, 27 people have perished while being held captive.
In an attempt to mediate another release, the US, Qatar, and Egypt don’t seem to be able to balance Israel’s determination to destroy Hamas with the militant group’s demand that Israel evacuate and release thousands of Palestinians, including senior militants, from its prisons.
It occurs after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned down Hamas’ demands to end the conflict and free the hostages, which included Israel’s total withdrawal and handing over control of Gaza to Hamas.
As a reaction, Mr. Netanyahu was forced to “clearly state that we will not abandon civilians, soldiers, and others kidnapped in the October debacle” by the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum.
“If the prime minister decides to sacrifice the hostages, he should show leadership and honestly share his position with the Israeli public,” the statement read.
