Tel Aviv protesters call for hostage release after 600 days in Gaza

Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Wednesday to demand an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages still held by Palestinian militant group Hamas, marking 600 days since their abduction.

Crowds assembled at Hostages Square in the centre of the city to draw attention to the fate of the hostages.

“Tonight we count 600 days without you. And you are counting the seconds – nearly 52 million seconds,” said the mother of hostage Alon Ohel in a speech.

Former hostages shared accounts of their time in captivity. “In the tunnels, you don’t know if a terrorist will get up one morning and shoot you, or if a bomb will destroy the tunnel where you’re sleeping,” said Yair Horn, who was freed in February. His brother Eitan is still held captive.

Ahead of the demonstration, chaotic scenes unfolded between protesters and police. According to Israeli news portal ynet, about 20 people were detained after occupying the headquarters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and blocking nearby streets.

The war in Gaza was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel’s history, carried out by militants from Hamas and other groups on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip.

There are still 58 hostages in the Gaza Strip, the majority of whom are no longer alive.