Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Dozens of protesters blocked the entrance to the Knesset, Israeli parliament, on Monday, demanding that the lawmakers do more to ensure the freedom of their families and loved ones.
According to Israeli authorities, some 253 people were abducted after Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli territory on October 7, triggering the worst fighting in decades.
A November truce that lasted a week saw the release of hostages from both sides. However, the deal was called off after Israel accused Hamas of violating terms of the agreement.
About 130 Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity, out of which 104 are thought to be alive.
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In a statement on Sunday, Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, said Hamas demanded an end to the war on the condition that Palestinian prisoners be released.
Hamas also asked for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.
“I work on this around the clock. But to be clear: I reject outright the terms of surrender of the monsters of Hamas,” Netanyahu said.
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“If we agree to this, our soldiers fell in vain. If we agree to this, we will not be able to guarantee the security of our citizens.”
Protesting the prime minister’s stance at the Israeli parliament, a group of relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas chanted: “Release them now, now, now!”
Other protesters clad in black T-shirts, forced their way into the committee’s meeting and held up signs that read: “You will not sit here while they die there”.
Videos of the scene showed security officers trying to evict the protesters.
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An Israeli police statement said the protesters were “violating public order”, adding that they were moved back to the lawful protest area.
The protests also come amid deepening divisions within Israel’s war cabinet about whether to prioritise bringing hostages home over defeating Hamas.
Last week, Gadi Eisenkot, war cabinet minister, said the war’s main goal of defeating Hamas is unrealistic and called for elections within months.
Eisenkot said the government had failed to achieve what should be its highest priority: securing the release of the hostages.
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