Israeli protesters demand release of Gaza hostages

Jerusalem - Tens of thousands of people on Saturday held protests across Israel, demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza and calling for early elections.

The Israeli broadcasting authority reported that the protesters gathered at Kaplan Square, calling for a hostage swap deal with Palestinian factions in Gaza and for early elections.

Families of hostages held in Gaza also participated in the protests, and they delivered speeches in front of the demonstrators, according to the broadcasting authority.

According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, clashes erupted between police and protesters at Kaplan Square.

Thousands of more Israelis also gathered on Begin Street in front of the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv.

Many people also demonstrated near the home of Israeli President Isaac Herzog in West Jerusalem, demanding the return of those held in Gaza and calling for early elections, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

Additionally, thousands of Israelis protested near the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Caesarea and thousands more in Haifa.

Demonstrations in Israel have intensified after a video released by Al-qassam Brigades showed two hostages held in Gaza demanding the Israeli government to make a hostage swap deal to secure their release.

In response to the video, families of the hostages said in a statement: “Israel must choose between (invading) Rafah or a deal (with Hamas),” the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported. The families urged government members to release the hostages held in Gaza, even if it means ending the war.

Tel Aviv believes 134 Israelis are being held in Gaza, while Israel is holding some 9,000 Palestinians in its jails.

A previous deal in November saw the release of 81 Israelis and 24 foreigners in exchange for 240 Palestinians, including 71 women and 169 children.