Protesters form a human chain outside Israel's parliament, demanding the release of all hostages.

 

Protesters form a human chain outside Israel's parliament, demanding the release of all hostages.

On Tuesday, protesters formed a human chain outside the Israeli parliament, also known as the Knesset, demanding the release of all hostages still held in Gaza. As Israel and Hamas move closer to a potential ceasefire agreement, many demonstrators carried large banners displaying the names and faces of the captives with the phrases “DON’T leave me behind!” and “Everyone is a humanitarian case! No one should be left behind!”

This protest coincided with talks in Doha, Qatar, where negotiators are hoping to finalize a ceasefire deal that could lead to the release of some hostages. Under the emerging agreement, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages in the first phase, with negotiations for the second phase, which aims to end the war, set to begin on day 16 of the deal’s implementation.

Shay Dickmann, a protester whose family has been affected by hostage situations, shared her personal experience. Her family member was released in a previous ceasefire deal in November 2023, but her cousin was killed while in Hamas captivity. She emphasized the importance of not giving up on any of the hostages and expressed cautious optimism about the ongoing negotiations.

Dickmann’s message to negotiators was clear: “We trust you to make it happen this time. We need your help. And right now it sounds like you’re the key.”