Relatives of the Israeli hostages of Hamas disrupted the Knesset session

A group of relatives of Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas – an organization recognized as a terrorist in the USA and the European Union – entered the Knesset building on Monday and disrupted the session of the parliament’s financial commission. About 20 people demand that the government intensify its efforts to free their loved ones. The security of the Knesset did not dare to detain them.

Relatives believe that the government should not engage in routine business while the kidnapped Israelis remain hostages in the Gaza Strip. One of the protesters told the chairman of the financial commission, Moshe Hafna: “You destroyed the government for your own interests, but you cannot destroy the return of the hostages.” Others held placards with the inscription: “You must not sit here while they die there.” Hafny was forced to interrupt the meeting.

Yesterday, on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a televised address that the release of the hostages remains Israel’s top priority, but Hamas is no longer open to constructive negotiations. Netanyahu told the families of the hostages that the government and the army are considering new options for the return of the abducted.

A group of hostages’ relatives and sympathizers held a protest demonstration at Netanyahu’s house in Jerusalem and pitched a tent camp there. They said that they will not leave until the Prime Minister announces new measures to return them to their homes.

• There are still 132 Israeli citizens being held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, mostly civilians, including children, women and the elderly. 27 hostages died in captivity.
• As a result of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year, more than 1,200 people were killed. 253 people — both Israelis and foreigners — were taken hostage and taken to the Gaza Strip. About half of them were released during a short truce in November. After this, further negotiations reached an impasse.