In a wave of anger and grief, thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday night, after six hostages found dead in Gaza. The demonstrations were fueled by the devastating news that the hostages, who had been held by Hamas in Gaza, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were found dead in a tunnel in the city of Rafah. The protesters, chanting “Now! Now!” demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining captives.
Hostages Found Dead
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed that the hostages’ bodies were found during a military operation on Saturday, and autopsies confirmed that they had been shot at close range. The victims were identified as Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino. The IDF stated that the hostages had been killed shortly before their forces arrived in the area.
In a statement on Sunday morning, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his devastation and outrage over the killings, particularly noting that Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among the victims. Goldberg-Polin had been attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7 when he was brutally attacked, losing his arm in the process.
The Goldberg-Polin family released a heart-wrenching statement, expressing their devastation at the loss of their beloved son and brother, and requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed to hold Hamas accountable for the killings, blaming the militant group for stalling negotiations and stating, “Whoever murders hostages doesn’t want a deal.” However, the protests reflect a growing divide within Israel, as the public and various sectors of society demand an end to the nearly 11-month conflict.
General Strike
The country’s largest trade union, Histadrut, has called for a general strike on Monday, aiming to pressure the government to agree to a ceasefire. The strike is expected to disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, healthcare, and the country’s main airport.
While Netanyahu has pledged to continue the fight against Hamas until its destruction, senior military and security officials have warned that time is running out for a peaceful resolution. Critics accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing personal interests over the safety of the hostages, noting that the end of the war could lead to an investigation into the government’s failures during the October 7 attacks and potentially trigger early elections.
As Israel grapples with the deaths of the six hostages, the country is at a crossroads, with public pressure mounting on the government to pursue a ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining captives. The coming days will be crucial in determining the course of the conflict and the future of the Israeli leadership.
