Families of Hostages in Gaza Accuse Netanyahu of Derailing Ceasefire Talks
Protesters in Tel Aviv have marched to demand the release of their loved ones held captive by Hamas in Gaza, carrying makeshift coffins draped with Israeli flags to symbolize the hostages still in captivity. The families are accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of potentially derailing ceasefire talks with new demands, specifically his insistence on keeping open-ended control of the Philadelphi Corridor on the border with Egypt.
The families of the hostages are angry with the Israeli government, claiming they have not done enough to secure the release of their loved ones. One protester, Gil Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel Gat was held in Gaza for 327 days, blames Netanyahu for her death, saying there were missed opportunities to bring her back. Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have seen little progress, with the United States developing a new proposal in an attempt to end the long-standing conflict.
Netanyahu’s demands for control of the Philadelphi Corridor have become a major obstacle in the negotiations, with Hamas insisting on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of the truce deal. Egyptian mediators have also called for a concrete timeline for Israeli troops to leave the corridor. The families of the hostages have accused Netanyahu of potentially sacrificing their relatives by derailing the talks.
The conflict has taken a toll on both sides, with over 40,000 Palestinians and more than 1,100 Israelis killed since the fighting began in October. Many remain hopeful that a ceasefire agreement can be reached to end the violence and secure the release of the remaining hostages.
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