Israeli Hostage Families Storm Knesset Committee Meeting
About 20 relatives of Israelis held captive by Palestinian gunmen in Gaza disrupted a parliamentary committee session in Jerusalem on Monday. This marked a significant rise in domestic dissent amid the ongoing Gaza war against Hamas, now in its fourth month.
During the session, a woman emotionally displayed pictures of three family members seized in the cross-border Hamas attack on October 7, which instigated the most intense fighting in decades. Of the 253 people originally taken hostage, 130 remain captive following a truce in November.
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Chants of “Release them now, now, now!” echoed through the Knesset Finance Committee chamber, as protesters held signs stating, “You will not sit here while they die there.” This sentiment reflects the growing frustration and urgency among families of the hostages, 27 of whom have reportedly died in captivity.
Eli Stivi, whose son Idan is among those held, vowed to continue protesting outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence and the Knesset until the hostages are returned. Simultaneously, public support for Netanyahu is waning, evidenced by large-scale protests in major cities demanding an election and potentially a change in leadership.
In response to the disruption, Committee Chairman Moshe Gafni attempted to pacify the protesters, emphasizing the importance of redeeming captives in Judaism. Meanwhile, Netanyahu informed hostage families that Hamas has not presented a viable proposal for their loved ones’ release. The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum has set up a vigil outside Netanyahu’s house, demanding progress on a swap deal.
