Thousands of Israelis rallied late on Saturday in Tel Aviv demanding the release of detainees held by the Palestinian resistance in Gaza, on the eve of the 100th day of their capture. Meanwhile, others called for an end to the occupation and the cessation of the war.
The crowds carried a massive banner that read "And the world remains silent," and chanted for the immediate liberation of the hostages, repeating "now, now, now".
Separately, about 100 people gathered to demand the war's end, displaying signs that said "Revenge is not a victory" and "No to occupation".
At the rally site, which was symbolically renamed "Hostages' Square," Eidam Pelegirano, 47, stated, "We will continue to come here every week until everyone is released."
French President Emmanuel Macron sent a video message to the protesters, calling for the resumption of negotiations for the release of the hostages. He stated, "France does not abandon its children," referring to some dual-national French detainees.
Macron urged that negotiations be "repeatedly resumed" for their release.
Israeli officials say about 250 people were detained during the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" attack on October 7 of last year, and that 132 of them are still in Gaza. It is believed that 25 of them have died.
Approximately 100 detainees were released during a ceasefire at the end of November, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel as part of an agreement facilitated by Qatar and Egypt.
Protests have become a weekly occurrence in Tel Aviv every Saturday evening since the war began, but groups supporting the families of the detainees have been turning out in greater numbers on the occasion of the 100 days of the war.
