At a time when a deal between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages appears imminent, thousands of Israelis have taken to streets. While families of hostages are holding rallies calling for their return, far-right extremists are holding protests against the deal.
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Supporters of Israeli hostages, kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, hold pictures of hostages and of Ron Arad, an Israeli air force navigator missing since he bailed out over Lebanon in 1986, as they demand a deal during a protest amid ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel January 13, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
Thousands of Israelis from across the spectrum have taken to the streets as a deal with Hamas appears to be around the corner.
The talks between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages held by terrorists made a breakthrough over the weekend. The final drafts of the proposal have been exchanged and it has been reported that Hamas has accepted the deal in principle.
The finalisation of the deal is expected soon.
While moderate Israelis and families of hostages have welcomed the developments and have taken to streets in support of the deal, the extremists on the far-right have taken to the streets in opposition of the deal. They oppose the end of the war and withdrawal of Israeli military from Gaza.
While officials have not publicly shared the specifics of the deal on the table, it is understood that is either same or nearly same as the one
outlined by outgoing US President Joe Biden in May 2024. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had endorsed the deal at the time, he inserted new demands months later that essentially stalled talks for months.
The deal with the Hamas is seeing opposition within Netanyahu’s own government, with far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich threatening to leave the ruling coalition if the deal is pushed through. Despite their opposition, it is expected that the deal would be approved by the Israeli Cabinet.
Hostages families come together in Tel Aviv
Thousands of Israelis converged in Tel Aviv’s ‘Hostage Square’ in solidarity with hostages and their families and to reiterate the call of their return.
While they gather there regularly and hold ‘Singing for Their Return’ unity rally on Tuesdays, the Tuesday’s rally was much bigger than usual.
While the rally, which features activists and musicians, usually features a few dozen people, the rally on this Tuesday featured thousands of people, according to The Times of Israel.
The rally featured performances by well-known artists, hostage Moran Stella Yanai, and Yarden Bibas, the father of current hostage Yarden Bibas, among others, according to the newspaper.
Singer Evyatar Banai sang his 1997 song ‘I Have a Chance’ and stressed the line “I have a chance to be saved” that resonated with the mood.
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) January 14, 2025
The aunt of Omer Neutra, a hostage murdered by Hamas, called on the attendees to recite the Jewish prayer ‘Shema Yisrael’, according to the newspaper.
Left-leaning singer Aviv Geffen joined right-leaning singer and Omer Adam to perform at the rally.
“Omer and I are here tonight to say there are no differences between us, no religious and no secular Israelis, no Ashkenazi and Mizrahi, there is just the nation of Israel, the Jewish nation, praying that the hostages come home. That is our prayer,” the newspaper quoted the two as saying.
Hostage Families at Rally in Hostages Square: “We Stand Together Until the Last Hostage Returns!”
Thousands gathered tonight at the “Singing Together for Their Return” rally in Hostages Square, demonstrating their support and unwavering solidarity with the families in their… pic.twitter.com/i7poJgQWFb
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) January 14, 2025
Moran Stella Yanai, a hostage who was released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023, addressed the rally and recalled her days in captivity. She said the night before her release was the longest of her life. She went on to describe what she dubbed her “light in the darkness”.
“On the 49th day, after weeks of darkness, they put me in a costume. There were two girls with me. They took us to the exchange point. Right there, a step away from freedom, they pulled me back. The two girls went on, and I was left behind… in hell. That night was the lo