As thousands of people protest in Israel, a former hostage speaks out

Thousands of anti-government protesters gathered outside Israel’s Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday, renewing calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a ceasefire in Gaza that would allow the return of hostages taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel. October 7.

One protester held up a sign calling Mr Netanyahu “the enemy of Israel,” while others covered themselves in fake blood and bandages and lay in the street.

Families and relatives of hostages have been holding weekly street demonstrations since October to pressure the government to bring their loved ones home. Some hostages were released in November as part of a temporary ceasefire, others have been rescued. But more than 100 remain in Gaza. It is unclear how many are still alive.

Noa Argamani, a hostage rescued on June 8, called for the release of the remaining prisoners in a video by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of hostages held captive in Gaza.

“We must do everything possible to bring them back home,” Ms Argamani said in the video. She was abducted on 7 October and taken to Gaza with her partner Avinatan Or. He is also still held.

Efrat Yahalomi, the sister of Ohad Yahalomi, a French-Israeli hostage taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz, said it was “incredibly painful” to know that Israeli hostages were languishing in captivity.

“Almost nine months have passed and I still stand here with a heavy heart, while you, Ohad, are still not here,” she said in a statement released by the forum.