Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Tel Aviv to demand the release of the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip and early elections leading to a government other than the one led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As reported by Times of Israel, the protesters blocked the northbound Ayalon highway until the police intervened. Clashes also broke out between officers and protesters with the arrest of Ayala Metzger, the daughter-in-law of hostage Yoram Metzger, who was later released.
Meirav Svirsky, sister of hostage Itay Svirsky who was killed while being kidnapped, has called on the Israeli government not to send forces to Rafah to avoid the deaths of more hostages. Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, stated that – “Prime Minister Netanyahu is sacrificing his son and the rest of the hostages”.
From Israel, Foreign Minister Israel Katz sent a message to Hamas during an interview with News 12 – “If an agreement is reached between Israel and Hamas for the release of the hostages still in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces will suspend the operation planned in Rafah”.
