Host - Thousands demand Geisel-Deal in Israel
In Israel, thousands of people have demonstrated against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for an immediate agreement in the Gaza War for the release of hostages. Before Netanyahu's flight to the USA, demonstrators in Jerusalem held up signs with the inscription "No Flight Without an Agreement," as reported by "Times of Israel" in the evening. On Wednesday, Netanyahu is scheduled to give a speech to both chambers of the US Congress about Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
At one of the weekly demonstrations in Jerusalem, one of the participants, whose grandson was kidnapped by terrorists and recently declared dead by the military according to the newspaper, said: "Only the end of the war will bring the hostages home." The end of the war will also mean "the end of the government," he added. "So everyone can understand why this war is lasting so long and why there is still no hostage agreement," the man further quoted.
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas have been running for months, with Egypt, Qatar, and the USA mediating. They revolve around a three-tiered plan that involves the exchange of the approximately 120 hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, as well as ways to establish a lasting ceasefire. Participants in the indirect talks have recently shown cautious optimism. However, no high-level meetings have been announced at present.
- The demonstrations against Prime Minister Netanyahu's government in Israel have been extensively covered by the international news outlet, The Times of Israel.
- The ongoing Gaza War has led to widespread protests in Israel, with calls for an immediate agreement to release hostages.
- US Congress, in anticipation of Netanyahu's visit, is preparing for a speech focused on Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
- The participant at the Jerusalem demonstration expressed hope that the end of the Gaza War will bring the hostages home and also signal the end of the current Israeli government.
- The indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the USA, have been ongoing for several months, aiming to negotiate the release of hostages and establish a lasting ceasefire.
- The recent optimism among the indirect talks participants has yet to translate into any significant progress or high-level meetings announced.
- The Gaza Strip, a territory plagued by conflicts, has once again become a focal point of international attention due to the ongoing hostage situation and the associated war efforts.
