By Protesters took to the streets in several Israeli cities on Saturday, calling for the release of all hostages held in Gaza ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day. The demonstrators also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and early elections.
Families of the hostages, including those in Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Rehovot, and Haifa, joined the anti-government protests. Many participants waved Israeli flags and held signs with images of the captives, urging the government to bring them home alive.
The protests come as Israel prepares to observe Memorial Day starting Sunday evening and amid ongoing tensions following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of approximately 240 hostages. Although a release deal in November freed just over 100 hostages, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) believes that 132 captives remain in Gaza, with only 92 of the 128 taken on October 7 still alive.
Among the protesters was Yael Adar, mother of Tamir Adar, who was abducted on October 7 and whose death was announced in January. Adar expressed her desire to bring her son’s body back for a proper burial, stating, “Since then, all we ask is to bring Tamir and all the murdered hostages back for burial, here in the land they loved. To grant Tamir the burial he deserves. To grant us closure, to have a grave where we can be with his memory.”
Hagit Chen, mother of Itay Chen, who was killed on October 7 and whose remains were taken to Gaza, also spoke at the rally, expressing her wish to bury her son in peace. She appealed directly to Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying, “It is time that you bring them all back! The living for rehabilitation and the fallen for a respectful, appropriate Jewish burial.”
The protests coincided with a claim by the Al Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, that one of the Israeli hostages, Nadav Popplewell, died more than a month ago due to wounds sustained in an Israeli airstrike on his place of captivity. Abu Obaida, the military wing’s spokesperson, stated on Telegram that Popplewell’s health had deteriorated, and he died due to a lack of intensive medical care.
Popplewell, a 51-year-old dual British-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nirim on October 7, 2023. His mother, Channah Peri, was also abducted but released as part of the November 24 hostage deal, while his brother Roi was killed on October 7.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office told CNN that it was unaware of Popplewell’s status, and the IDF declined to comment. The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office stated that it is seeking more information about Popplewell and reiterated its commitment to securing the release of hostages, including British nationals.
As Israel observes Memorial Day and the nation mourns its fallen, the protests underscore the ongoing pain and frustration felt by the families of those still held captive in Gaza, as well as the growing discontent with the government’s handling of the situation.
