Protesters take to the streets of Israel one more Saturday to demand an agreement for the hostages

MADRID 19 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Approximately half a thousand protesters gathered in Tel Aviv one more Saturday to demand that the Israeli Government reach an agreement for the release of the hostages.

The activists have gathered on Begin Street, in front of the headquarters of the Israeli Armed Forces, this time in a call not supported by the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons, reports the newspaper ‘The Times of Israel’ .

These rallies bring together those most critical of the current Israeli government and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, whom they accuse of artificially prolonging the conflict and avoiding a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages for political purposes.

“If there is no agreement, we are going to burn the entire country. This is the last chance,” chanted the attendees, among whom there were banners from left-wing groups such as Breaking The Silence, which denounces human rights abuses perpetrated by the Israeli military; Standing Together, a socialist group that defends coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians or Women Wage Peace, formed by Israeli-Palestinian women.

One of the participants, Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, has appealed to Netanyahu asking “what more is there to do in Gaza?” in reference to the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar announced by the Army.

“The goal of the war was to create the conditions for the return of the hostages and that has already been achieved. Only an agreement can bring everyone back. After the elimination of Hamas and its leaders, what else is left to do in Gaza?” he said.

“The excuses are over. The time has come to be afraid of (Itamar) Ben Gvir and (Bezalel) Smotrich,” in reference to the far-right ministers who participate in Netanyahu’s coalition government.

The protests had been called and held every Saturday for months, but were paused at the end of September following restrictions by the Internal Front of the Armed Forces following the intensification of fighting in Lebanon.