Politics Thousands of Israelis demonstrate for the release of hostages
Thousands of demonstrators in numerous Israeli cities have called for a continuation of the ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of more hostages. At the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas, people gathered in Tel Aviv, Haifa and other cities.
01.03.2025, 22:02
SDA
In the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv, activists sat on a street with iron chains and wore masks with the faces of hostages who have been held in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The demand for the release of the remaining hostages was written on the ground in Hebrew: "All of them". There are currently 59 hostages still being held by Islamists in the Gaza Strip. Of these, only 24 men are said to be still alive.
Russian-Israeli citizen Alexander (Sasha) Trufanov, who was released from hostage-taking two weeks ago, said in a video message: "I think about the hostages who are still there every day." The thought never leaves his mind. "It accompanies me every hour, every minute of the day." Trufanov demanded: "Do not allow the feelings of revenge, anger and rage to take precedence over the values of unity, brotherhood and the sanctity of human life."
The first phase of the three-stage ceasefire agreement expires today. Hamas rejects an extension of the first phase sought by Israel with the release of further hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners. It demands to continue with the second phase, which provides for a definitive end to the war. Israel, however, insists on the war goal of the complete destruction of the terrorist organization Hamas.
Israeli media reported that the army is already training intensively for a possible resumption of the war in the Gaza Strip.
