Tens of Thousands Rally for Hostage Deal as Gaza Ceasefire Talks Continue

 

Tens of Thousands Rally for Hostage Deal as Gaza Ceasefire Talks Continue

In a show of solidarity, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv late into the night, calling for a deal to bring home hostages held by Hamas. The rally came as ceasefire talks resumed in Cairo, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, aimed at pausing Israel's offensive in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages.

Protesters chanted "war is not holy, life is," with some accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict. The main sticking point in talks appears to be whether the deal would be temporary or permanent. A 40-day pause in fighting while hostages are released, and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, is being discussed.

Hamas is seeking a permanent ceasefire, including an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel, however, is insisting on a temporary pause, with an Israeli minister stating that the war will continue "until Hamas is eliminated."

The US, Israel's biggest ally, is reluctant to back a new offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, which could cause significant civilian casualties. The US has insisted on seeing a plan to protect displaced Palestinians first.

Domestic pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure the return of the hostages, with 128 still unaccounted for, including at least 34 presumed dead. Protesters in Tel Aviv called for a deal, with one saying, "We need to bring all the hostages back, the live ones, the dead ones. We got to bring them back. We got to switch this government."

Ceasefire talks have been ongoing for months without a breakthrough, with moments of hope followed by collapse. The latest round of discussions is complex, and any breakthrough could still take several days.

The war began on October 7 after Hamas gunmen stormed across Gaza's border into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. The subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 34,600 Palestinians killed and 77,900 wounded, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The UN World Food Programme has warned that northern Gaza is experiencing a "full-blown famine," with the catastrophic situation spreading south. The head of the programme, Cindy McCain, has called for a ceasefire and unfettered access to get aid in safely.

As the conflict continues, the international community is urging a peaceful resolution. The rally in Tel Aviv and the ongoing ceasefire talks offer a glimmer of hope for a resolution, but the path forward remains uncertain.