600 Days In, Israel Demands Answers on Hostages
On Wednesday morning, yellow ribbons and human chains stretched across Israel, marking 600 days since Hamas launched its brutal October 7 attack and the Gaza war began. In this report for The Media Line, I covered the protests that erupted nationwide—led by hostage families and civil society groups—demanding the return of the 58 captives still believed to be in Gaza. At 6:29 a.m., the precise time the assault began, people stood shoulder to shoulder from Tel Aviv to Zikhron Yaakov, urging leaders to bring the hostages home.
The sense of urgency is mounting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged last week that only 21 of the hostages are thought to be alive. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for the resignation of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, accusing him of stalling the talks.
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This war, now two months shy of its second year, has cost Israel and Gaza dearly. More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, which does not separate fighters from civilians. Israel says it has killed over 20,000 Hamas fighters and dismantled key military infrastructure. But on the Israeli side, the toll is also heavy: Over 1,200 people were killed on October 7, and more than 680 soldiers have died in combat since.
Ceasefire negotiations are stalled. Hamas reportedly agreed to a US-brokered 60-day truce. Israel hasn’t responded. President Donald Trump supports the deal, but Netanyahu remains committed to “absolute victory.”
This is a nation stretched thin, its people worn out by war and indecision. The full article, which I reported for The Media Line, offers a detailed look at where the war stands—and where it might go next.
