Thousands of request release the hostages: wave of protests in Israel!

Thousands of request release the hostages: wave of protests in Israel!

On June 8, 2025, in several cities of Israeli, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protested and demanded an end to the continuing Gaza War. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in order to point out the urgent need to release the hostages, which have been in the hands of extremist groups since the devastating terrorist attack on the night of October 7, 2023. Around 1,200 people lost their lives in this attack, and around 250 people were dragged to Gaza, which formed the basis for the fights that had been ongoing for 20 months. The protests are an urgent appeal for the return of the hostages that are still alive, as reported to at least 20 of them are currently being recorded in the Gaza Strip.

In the demonstrations, numerous members of the hostages expressed their concern about the unchanged situation. A daughter of a killed hostage criticized the government and accused her of extending the war at the hostage of the hostages. Security forces reacted to the protests and sometimes used drastic measures to drift the demonstrators apart. In the meantime, the Israeli military reported the rescue of the body of a Thai man from the Gaza Strip that was kidnapped by Hamas during the attack.

growing unrest and persistent pressure on the government

The current demonstration is not an isolated case. For months, the Israelis in various cities, especially in Tel Aviv, have been demanding the release of the hostages and criticizing Netanyahu's government policy sharply. Members of the hostages accuse the government that there is no clear plan to return the silent victims of the conflict. A few weeks ago, a former hostage immediately asked the Prime Minister to end the war immediately, which Netanyahu rejected. In the meantime, the protesters are increasingly feeling the pressure on the government to deal with the hostage frames and the war.

The tough negotiations between Israel and Hamas about possible hostage clearance and a ceasefire have stalled. This is reinforced by clear different positions on the two sides. Hamas demands guarantees for the end of the war and the withdrawal of the Israeli troops after the release of the last hostages. In contrast, Israel does not want to give such assurances and insists on the destruction of Hamas.

international reactions and situational escalation

In the middle of these tensions, the White House emphasized that it will continue to work for the return of the hostages. The Israeli government has now also signaled to increase the pressure on Hamas. Finance Minister Bezhalel Smotrich has spoken in favor of filling the Gaza Strip completely and building a military rule. He supports Netanyahu's attitude that the war can only end when Hamas is defeated.

The humanitarian location in the Gaza Strip remains precarious. According to the Hamas health authority, over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflicts. The expansion of the Israeli offensive has conducted great destruction in the Gaza Strip and at the same time reinforced the international pressure on the Israeli government to bring about a diplomatic solution. The continuing conflict and the associated demonstrations are expected to remain a central topic in Israeli politics in the coming days and weeks.

for the next steps of the government in relation to the war and the hostages remains to be seen to what extent the international community is further involved and the worries of the demonstrators are heard.

Merkur reports that ... SPIEGEL href = "https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/asien/gaza-demonstration-geiseln-100.html"> Tagesschau adds that ....