Anti-government protests demand release of Gaza hostages ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day

CNN
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Protesters took to the streets of a number of cities throughout Israel on Saturday, demanding the release of all hostages held in Gaza ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day.

They demanded the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for early elections to be held.

Families of hostages held in Gaza additionally took half in anti-government protests, together with in Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Rehovot, and Haifa.

The protests come as Israel gears as much as mark Memorial Day beginning Sunday night.

Many waved Israeli flags and held up indicators with pictures of the Israeli hostages, calling on the federal government to deliver them house alive.

Around 240 individuals have been taken hostage and moved to Gaza throughout Hamas’ October 7 assault on Israel that additionally killed greater than 1,200 individuals. A bit of greater than 100 have been freed throughout a release deal in November, however the Israel Defense Forces believes there are nonetheless 132 hostages being held in Gaza, 128 of whom have been taken on October 7. The believes that, of these 128, solely 92 are nonetheless alive.

Among these on the protests Saturday was Yael Adar, the mom of Tamir Adar, who was kidnapped on October 7 and whose loss of life was introduced in January. She stated all she needed was to deliver again the physique of her son so she might maintain a correct burial.

“For 90 days, we fought for his return alive, 90 days of hoping that Tamir would return to us, to the bosom of the family – a hope that vanished with the news that he was no longer alive,” Adar stated throughout a rally.

“Since then, all we ask is to bring Tamir and all the murdered hostages back for burial, here in the land they loved. To grant Tamir the burial he deserves. To grant us closure, to have a grave where we can be with his memory,” she added.

Hagit Chen, mom of Itay Chen, who was killed on October 7 and whose stays have been taken into Gaza, stated she needed to bury her son in peace.

“I have been invited to take part in many ceremonies for Israel’s Remembrance Day, but the only ceremony that I ought to be in, with my family and with the memory of my own son, is a ceremony that the country has not enabled me to have,” Chen stated.

“How much more suffering can one take? I turn to the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu: It is time that you bring them all back! The living for rehabilitation and the fallen for a respectful, appropriate Jewish burial,” she added.

The protests got here because the Al Qassam Brigades, the army wing of Hamas, claimed that one of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza died greater than a month in the past.

Abu Obaida, the army wing’s spokesperson, stated on Telegram that Nadav Popplewell, who was 51 years previous when kidnapped, had died of wounds he sustained after an Israeli airstrike hit the place the place he was held.

“His health condition deteriorated and he died because he did not receive intensive medical care,” Obaida stated.

Popplewell, who has twin British-Israeli citizenship, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nirim on October 7, 2023. His mom, Channah Peri, was additionally kidnapped however was launched as half of the hostage deal on November 24. His brother Roi was killed on October 7.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office advised CNN it didn’t know whether or not Popplewell was alive or lifeless. The Israel Defense Forces declined to remark.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office stated it’s looking for extra details about Popplewell.

“The UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals. We will continue to do all we can to secure the release of hostages,” the workplace advised CNN.