Demonstration in Tel Aviv Demanding a Comprehensive Prisoner Exchange Deal

SadaNews - Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in the heart of Tel Aviv to pressure the government to finalize a prisoner exchange deal in response to calls from the families of Israeli prisoners held in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Prisoners' Families Committee reported that 60,000 Israelis protested in downtown Tel Aviv demanding a deal to secure the release of prisoners held by resistance groups in Gaza.

The families of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza previously urged the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes, to retract its military operation expansion, warning that the current escalation "sentences the prisoners to death."

This was stated during a press conference held by a group of prisoner families in Tel Aviv, expressing their anger at the Israeli government's policies and its failure to secure the release of their loved ones.

Inaf Zangauker, the mother of one of the prisoners, said, "All that remains of our children are bones; Matan is undergoing a trial similar to the Holocaust thanks to the Israeli ministers."

Zangauker accused the government of changing the goals of the war from rescuing prisoners to invading the Gaza Strip, considering that "expanding military operations in Gaza instead of reaching a comprehensive agreement is a death sentence for those who remain alive among the prisoners."

She added, "This is an illegal act; if the government continues on this path, it will erase the memory of those who have fallen and distance us from any potential solution for an indefinite period."

Leaving Them in Captivity

For his part, Itzik Horn (father of another prisoner) warned that "Israel stands before the destruction of the third temple," saying, "Israel cannot be a home for Jews while abandoning Jews and leaving them to be tortured in captivity."

The group emphasized that the conditions set by the Israeli government for reaching a deal are "unrealistic," and that "the return of all prisoners can only be achieved through ending the war and reaching a comprehensive agreement."

The families concluded by urging Israelis to take to the streets and exert real pressure on the government, affirming that "there is no hope for the return of our children without widespread popular action."

Meeting with Whitakoff

The families of prisoners previously announced earlier today that they had concluded a three-hour meeting with US envoy Steve Whitakoff.

They stated in a statement that Whitakoff confirmed his country's commitment to the complete return of all detainees, considering it a top priority.

The prisoners' families clarified that Whitakoff informed them that Washington has a plan to end the war in Gaza, which includes the return of all Israeli prisoners, but he did not provide further details.

They indicated that Whitakoff adopts Netanyahu's approach and provides support for his policies.