Hundreds of settlers and protestors blocked streets and gathered outside the homes of Israeli ministers today in response to a strike called by the families of those held captive by the resistance in Gaza. The protest aims to pressure the government to secure a prisoner exchange deal.
Hebrew media outlets reported that dozens of protestors gathered in front of the homes of several ministers, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Education Minister Yoav Kisch, and Minister for the Negev and Galilee Yitzhak Wasserlauf.
According to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, protestors also blocked Highway 1 at the entrance to Jerusalem to demand the return of the captives in the Gaza Strip.
The families of the Israeli captives stated, “The state has come to a halt because it can no longer continue on this path. We have paid a heavy price, and we cannot allow more families to pay it.”
They emphasized that “time is running out” for the Israeli captives, who could be lost forever if the government does not retrieve them immediately. They added, “We are tired of slogans and procrastination. Only the people will bring the kidnapped back home.”
The strike, called by the families of the captives and those killed in the war on Gaza, is planned to start with public demonstrations involving dozens of private companies, local authorities, universities, and economic bodies, all of which have announced they will allow their employees to participate in the protests.
According to the plan, events were scheduled to begin at 6:29 AM, the exact time the October 7 attack started. The families are holding an initial event in “Captives’ Square” in Tel Aviv, followed by a press conference at 7:00 AM. Simultaneously, demonstrations are taking place in dozens of locations, including distributing yellow ribbons to drivers and holding vigils in front of the homes of members of the ruling coalition.
