On Saturday, dozens of people gathered in Tel Aviv’s streets with placards that said “400,” symbolizing the sombre milestone of days since the hostage situation started, in an emotional show of support. Back on October 7 last year, Hamas militants launched an attack that left Israel in shock, seizing a group of captives whose fate is still hanging in the balance.
Efforts to strike a ceasefire and forge a path to peace have stalled, taking another hit with Qatar’s recent decision to pump the brakes on negotiations. The country in the Persian Gulf, which had been a major player in the negotiations to end the war, has announced that it is withdrawing until both sides can demonstrate some “seriousness” at the negotiating table. Many Israelis are feeling uneasy and apprehensive as a result of this.
Among the crowd at the protest was Ruti Lior, a 62-year-old psychotherapist. “It’s got me really nervous,” she shared. “When I see Qatar backing out, it just feels like more proof there’s no real intent on moving things forward – just games getting in the way.”
Echoing this sentiment, Gal, a human resources worker who joined the demonstrations, didn’t mince words about his frustrations. “Qatar didn’t handle things well,” he commented. “But let’s be honest, it’s not just them. There’s plenty of blame to go around, starting with Netanyahu.”
The demonstration on Saturday had strong images in addition to words. Signs that said “Guilty” surrounded a spectacular display of masks that stood in for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Others chanted “Hostage deal now” and “Drop your weapon, stop the war” while holding signs calling for a deal.
Niva Wenkert, the mother of one of the hostages, Omer Wenkert, added a poignancy to the protest. In a statement shared by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, she implored, “How much more suffering must happen before real efforts are made to bring our children back?”
The initial Hamas act of aggression took 1,206 lives on the Israeli side, the vast majority civilians, a horrifying number according to AFP tallies. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israel’s military response has been fierce, with the death toll rising to 43,552, mostly civilians, according to the territory’s health ministry figures, which the UN finds reliable.
Of the 251 people taken during last year’s massacre, 97 are still in Gaza, with 34 declared dead by the Israeli military. Week after week, Israelis have taken to the streets to demand that their government do more to secure their release as a result of this continuous issue.
Qatar, which has hosted Hamas’ political leadership since 2012, has been actively participating in peace talks and has even received approval from the United States. Since a temporary truce in November 2023, they have been avoiding diplomatic obstacles alongside mediators from Cairo and Washington. Even that brief respite, however, did not result in enduring harmony, as both parties were ready to blame one another for being slow to act.
One thing is certain as the demonstrations reverberate around Tel Aviv: the demand for reform and the captives’ release is still strong and unrelenting.
