Captives’ relatives plan mass rallies today in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv
As we’ve been reporting, major protests are expected in Israel today after the discovery of the bodies of six captives in Gaza.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the main group representing Israeli captives in Gaza, has called for the “entire nation” to join the pro-ceasefire demonstrations.
Two major rallies will take place later today at a public square in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv’s Begin Gate, according to the group.
Their call builds on months of antigovernment protests, driven by relatives of captives who are angered by the government’s failure to have them released.
At one protest outside the Israeli military’s headquarters in Tel Aviv yesterday, the mother of one captive accused Netanyahu of committing a crime “against the state of Israel”.
“Netanyahu is not Mr Security, he is Mr Death,” said Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan Zangauker, in comments carried by The Times of Israel. “He [Netanyahu] is undermining the deal in cold blood.”
TODAY, The Families will Bring the Nation to a Halt
As Foot-Dragging Continues, Hostages Are Dying
After 11 months of neglect of 107 hostages, the Hostages Families Forum call on the public to join a massive demonstration, demanding a complete halt of the country and the… pic.twitter.com/fSnO1dct2E
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) September 1, 2024
Israeli minister pushes back on criticism of gov’t handling of captives issue
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has shared his condolences with the families of the captives found dead by Israeli forces in southern Gaza but pushed back against criticism levelled at the government for the absence of a ceasefire deal.
“Unfortunately, I see the disturbing statements from the left, which accuse the Israeli government of murdering the hostages. To be clear: The terrorist organisation Hamas, and only Hamas, killed the hostages,” Ben-Gvir wrote in a statement on X.
Hamas said earlier that the captives were killed due to an Israeli air strike.
