News / Palestine

Israeli protesters demand release of all captives in Gaza

Friday, 24 January 2025 11:15 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 25 January 2025 1:52 AM ]

Families of Israeli captives in Gaza, along with activists block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, during a protest calling for their release, January 24, 2025.

Israeli protesters have blocked a major highway in Tel Aviv to demand the release of all captives, held by Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza.

On Friday, the protesters slammed prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet for the truce deal for the release of 33 Israeli captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and abductees.

The demonstrators called on Israeli officials to respect the Gaza ceasefire deal so that all captives held in the besieged Palestinian territory could be returned, alive or dead.

“Going back to war will be a death sentence for those left behind. We are intensifying our struggle and will not let extremists who are out of touch with the people and who are working against Israel’s interests bury the hostages in the tunnels,” the families of the captives said in a joint statement.

''We are here to remind the [regime] that the deal cannot include 34 people alone. They must encompass each and every one of the hostages alive and not alive that are still in Gaza. We cannot continue our lives,” a protester said.

“We have stopped our life in the static mode for like 15 months now. We must end this. This is our last chance. We are calling about everyone. Please don't let extremists on both sides try to torpedo this existing deal. This is our last chance. This deal must get to the end,” he added.

The protests have been ongoing for nearly 70 consecutive weeks.

Before the truce deal, some demonstrators accused Netanyahu of intentionally undermining talks with Hamas. They said the premier sought to continue the Gaza onslaught to stay in power.

Israel has killed at least 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 111,000 other individuals in Gaza since the onset of its genocidal war against Gaza on October 7, 2023. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble.

Gaza recovers 137 bodies from rubble amid Israeli truce violations

Reports indicate Israeli forces also continue to violate the ceasefire agreement in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Israel was forced to agree to a ceasefire, which began on January 19, after it failed to achieve its declared objectives in the besieged territory.

Palestinians celebrated the ceasefire as a victory with some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set to be released from Israeli prisons in exchange for Israeli captives held in Gaza.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir