By Luis De Jesus
Mar 31, 2024, 00:01 AM EDT
Thousands of people gathered tonight in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square to demand an agreement for the release of the 134 Hamas captives since the October 7 attack. A simultaneous protest on Kaplan and Begin streets, near the Ministry of Defense, called for the end of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and early elections.
“I hear Liri scream mom, save me. Mom, it’s hurting me! 176 days and 4,224 hours in which I have not slept a wink due to the thoughts and fear of what Liri and the other hostages are experiencing,” said Shira Elbag, mother of the hostage Liri Elbag, quoted by the Efe news agency.
“My body returned from captivity, but my soul remained there in Gaza,” shared Raz Ben Ami, released after 54 days on November 29. “(But) I cannot return to a life without my dear husband Ohad and the father of our daughters. “I cannot accept the idea that my Ohad and 133 other hostages have been left behind, in the midst of the terrible suffering of Gaza,” she added.
Israel and Hamas have been unsuccessfully trying to negotiate a truce since February. The Palestinian terrorist group demands a “comprehensive end” to the conflict and reconstruction, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks “total victory.”
Negotiations will continue in Cairo
Negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Egyptian security sources told the EFE agency, will continue this Sunday in Cairo with the participation of an Israeli delegation. This delegation, made up of representatives of the Mossad, the Shin Bet and the Army, will arrive tomorrow in the Egyptian capital.
According to an anonymous source for security reasons, “the Israeli delegation will arrive in Cairo tomorrow to complete negotiations on the hostages” held by the Islamist group in Gaza.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed on Friday that an Israeli delegation will soon travel to Doha and Cairo with the aim of continuing negotiations.
The negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, resumed a week ago after a long stalemate. However, Hamas again demanded a “comprehensive” ceasefire, the return of displaced people and the withdrawal of Israeli troops, demands that Israel described as “delusional.”
After this new round of talks in Cairo, Israeli officials will participate in another in Washington “to discuss arrangements for the military operation that Israel intends to implement in Rafah.”
The death toll in Gaza increased on Saturday to 32,705 dead and 75,190 injured, with more than 70% of them women and children, due to intense bombings and attacks throughout the Palestinian enclave, according to Gaza authorities.
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