Families of Israeli Prisoners Call for Sit-Ins This Evening for a Deal

SadaNews - The families of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip have called for participation in sit-ins in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv this evening, Saturday, to demand the return of those held in Gaza.

Dozens of Israelis protested outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem to demand the return of prisoners from the Gaza Strip and to end the war.

The families accused Netanyahu of obstructing deals aimed at bringing their sons back for nearly two years, and the protesters expressed their fears for the prisoners' safety following the decision to expand the military operation in the city of Gaza.

Israeli police attempted last night, Friday, to disperse the ongoing sit-in for four days in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem.

Concerns

In his speech before the protesters, Danny Meiran, father of Israeli prisoner Omri Meiran in Gaza, expressed his deep fears that the escalation of military operations in the city of Gaza could lead to his son's death, who has been held there for nearly two years.

According to the "Yedioth Ahronoth" newspaper, Meiran said, "I assume my son is being held in the area of the city, and the army is currently carrying out field maneuvers there, which is concerning and frightening."

He added, "I fear for his life, I fear that a stray Israeli missile could hit the place where he is, and the greatest fear is that they will kill him."

He further stated, "The idea that after entering Gaza and the continuous shelling he might return in a coffin or a black bag is what keeps me awake all night. Forgive me, my son."

The Israeli army announced on Friday that it was deepening its incursion into the city of Gaza, where it began a large-scale offensive on August 11, 2023, aimed at occupying it, in an operation named "Gideon's Chariots 2," which included blowing up houses using explosive robots, artillery shelling, indiscriminate gunfire, and forced displacement.

With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in at least 65,174 martyrs, 166,071 injured, most of whom are children and women, and a famine leading to the death of 440 Palestinians, including 148 children.