Israel’s Lapid calls on public to join protest for captives
Opposition leader Yair Lapid has called on Israelis to take to the streets this evening to call for the release of captives held in Gaza.
“You are welcome to join me and thousands of patriotic Israelis. We will not give up the kidnapped. We will not give up the country. We will not lose hope,” Lapid wrote on X.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel and Hamas were inside the “10-yard line” and close to agreeing on a ceasefire that could see the return of captives and a cessation of hostilities.
Families of captives urge Netanyahu to announce ceasefire before US trip
Family members and supporters of Israeli captives taken to Gaza on October 7 have called on the Israeli prime minister to announce a deal to free their loved ones before he flies to the United States to address Congress.
The US secretary of state said on Friday that a long-sought ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was within sight, saying negotiators were “driving toward the goal line”.
Netanyahu is to travel to Washington, DC, next week and address a joint session of the US Congress on Wednesday. Biden expects to meet him, depending on the president’s recovery from COVID-19, the White House said.
When asked about Netanyahu’s visit, Blinken said Washington wants to get a ceasefire agreement over the finish line.
Palestinians at Olympics to raise awareness for Gaza
Palestinian swimmers Yazan al-Bawwab and Valerie Tarazi are set to jump into the Paris Olympic pool to raise awareness for those suffering hardship in their homeland.
With a big Palestinian flag waving at the Nanterre pool, both swimmers prepared the last details for their competitions but said they had their family and friends back in Gaza close in mind.
Tarazi, 24, who will race the 200m individual medley, was born and raised in the United States. She told Reuters her heart was broken as she watched Palestinians swim for aid packages while she prepared to swim for a medal.
Her teammate al-Bawwab, also 24, who will be competing on 100m back, said he will be so proud to carry his flag during the opening ceremony next July 26, and wished they could focus just on sports. But al-Bawwab said he would use that moment “to show the world that we are human”.
“Whether a medal or not, we already win”, he added.
The swimmers are among eight Palestinian athletes participating in the Paris Olympic Games, which get under way on July 26.
