Families of Israelis abducted by Hamas in 2023 staged protests across Israel on Monday, marking 500 days since their loved ones were taken hostage.
Demonstrators blocked central streets in multiple cities, including Tel Aviv, and planned a march to the Knesset in Jerusalem. The relatives’ forum, which organized the rallies, called for a day of fasting under the slogan “Get them out of hell.”
Currently, 73 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, with 36 believed to be dead. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and kidnapped over 250 others.
According to Palestinian sources, more than 48,200 people have died in Gaza during the conflict. A ceasefire that began on January 19 includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners over six weeks. So far, Hamas has freed 19 hostages, along with five Thai nationals abducted from Israel. Another 14, including eight presumed dead, are set for release in the next two weeks.
