Families of Hamas Hostages Protest in Israel on 500th Day of Captivity
Relatives of Israelis kidnapped by Hamas in 2023 staged protests on Monday to mark 500 days since their abduction. Demonstrations took place across multiple cities, including Tel Aviv, with some protesters blocking central streets. A march to the Knesset in Jerusalem was also planned.
Currently, 73 hostages remain in Gaza, with 36 believed to have died. The families, under the slogan “Get them out of hell,” called for rallies and a day of fasting to demand their release.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and allied groups killed approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel and kidnapped over 250 others. In response, Israel launched military operations in Gaza, where over 48,200 Palestinians have reportedly died.
Under the current ceasefire, which started on January 19, Hamas has agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners over six weeks. So far, 19 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals have been freed. An additional 14 hostages, including eight reportedly deceased, are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
