Israeli Protesters Demand Ceasefire Deal After Six More Captives Killed in Gaza

Tel Aviv: Large crowds in Israel have taken to the streets, demanding a ceasefire and the return of captives held by Hamas, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The protesters chanted “Now! Now!” as they called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal with the Palestinian group Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.
According to Al Jazeera, scuffles between protesters and security forces were reported on Sunday night during one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in Israel since the Gaza war began nearly 11 months ago. Several protestors blocked roads in Tel Aviv and demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s office in West Jerusalem, the report further stated.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing the families of captives held in Gaza, stated that the deaths of the six hostages were a direct consequence of Netanyahu’s failure to secure a deal to end the fighting and bring their loved ones home. “They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity,” the forum was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Meanwhile, Gil Dickmann, a cousin of Carmel Gat, whose body was among those returned, urged Israelis to put more pressure on their government. In a post on X(previously Twitter), Dickmann wrote,”Take to the streets and shut down the country until everyone returns. They can still be saved.”

ממשפחתה של כרמל גת נמסר:
קראנו בתקשורת על רצונו של ראש הממשלה לשוחח עם המשפחה. לאחר מכן קיבלנו פניה רשמית. אין לנו עניין לדבר עם מי שרצח את כרמל או להוות תפאורה בקרקס התקשורתי שלו. לא ניתן לו להשתמש בנו כהצדקה וכלגיטימציה לרצח של החטוף הבא. דם החטופים על הידיים שלו.
*אנחנו לא…
— Gil Dickmann (@gildickmann) September 1, 2024

In a significant move, Israel’s largest trade union federation, the Histadrut, has called for a general strike for the first time since October 7, aiming to pressure the government into signing a ceasefire deal.
Since October 7, the Israeli military has killed at least 40,738 people and wounded 94,154 in its war on Gaza. On the same day, Hamas-led attacks in Israel resulted in an estimated 1,139 deaths, with around 250 people being taken captive by the group.
(With Inputs From ANI)