Thousands protest for hostage deal across country following Qatar talks

Thousands of protesters rallied and called for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza on Saturday evening, Israeli media reported. Four people have also been arrested.

Most notably, there was a large protest in Tel Aviv that temporarily blocked traffic on the Ayalon Highway.

After several minutes, police dispersed the protest with the assistance of water cannons

Demonstrators also gathered across numerous locations across Israel, including in the central protest location of Tel Aviv, alongside other cities and localities such as Jerusalem, Haifa, Caesarea, Emek Hefer, and Karkur. 

Protesters at the Karkur junction, much like other protest locations on Saturday, dedicated the demonstration to the twelve women held hostage by Hamas. 

Fears of pregnant hostages

Some carried signs stating, “A girl gave birth to a girl in captivity,” as hostages mark nine months in captivity. Other demonstrators called for elections. 

Ynet reported that approximately 2,000 protesters demonstrated in Caesarea, of which called for a hostage deal and immediate elections. 

A mass march also took place in Haifa and included representatives from several protest organizations, which also called for elections. 

Arrests

The police arrested two protesters in Tel Aviv suspected of violating public order, according to Israeli media. The police said that some protesters tried to block the road and light fires. Two others were arrested at protests in Jerusalem.

Israel Police released a statement saying that a number of protesters gathered “illegally on Menachem Begin Road, and began marching towards the exit from Route 20 heading north at the Arlozorov Interchange and tried to block the road and break order, while lighting fires on the road.”

“In light of the violations of order by a handful of demonstrators, the police had to declare an illegal demonstration during which two suspects were arrested.”

JPost