A group of relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas militants stormed a committee meeting in the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem today, demanding that lawmakers put in more effort to try to secure the release of their loved ones. This action, taken by about 20 individuals, reflects the growing opposition within Israel in the fourth month of the Gaza war.
The Knesset was suspended after the families of the hostages forced their way through security. Anger and impatience toward Prime Minister Netanyahu are increasing as Israel struggles to both defeat Hamas and free the hostages.
In this context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that "the movement has not presented any serious proposal." Netanyahu's office quoted him as saying to a group of relatives of the hostages, "There is no serious proposal from Hamas. This speculation is not accurate. I say this with all the clarity I can, as there are many incorrect statements that surely hurt you."
He added, "On the contrary, there is an initiative from our side, but I will not go into details." Approximately 130 hostages remain in Gaza after others were returned home during a ceasefire reached in November.
Efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker another round of hostage releases seem far from successful amid Israel's campaign to destroy Hamas and the group's demand for Israeli withdrawal and the release of thousands of Palestinians from its prisons, including prominent Hamas leaders.
Israel focuses on the fate of the hostages, 27 of whom they claim died in captivity. However, their relatives fear that fatigue from the war may lead to a decrease in this focus. Protests that initially fostered unity within Israel have become more aggressive.
Demonstrators are also camped outside Prime Minister Netanyahu's home on the coast, as well as outside the Knesset building, with some calling for a unilateral end to the war or elections that could oust the far-right government.
Security was breached as relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas stormed the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), with activists shouting, "Is this your daily order? Do we continue as usual? You will not sit here while they are there!" Up to 100 hostages are currently spending their third month in Gaza.
