Israeli police have detained several relatives of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza during a protest in Tel Aviv. The demonstration, which took place on Tuesday, aimed to draw attention to the collapse of recent ceasefire talks and the continued captivity of Israeli citizens in Gaza. The incident unfolded outside the Israeli military headquarters, where around 300 people gathered, brandishing placards with various slogans.
According to reports from British media sources on Thursday, the protest turned confrontational as some participants blocked a major road in the capital. Israeli authorities intervened, resulting in the arrest of four individuals on charges of public disorder. In a statement, the police acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but cited traffic disruptions caused by some demonstrators' actions.
The protest comes amid failed negotiations between mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States regarding a potential ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The proposed deal included a six-week halt to Israeli attacks on Gaza in exchange for the release of 40 out of the 130 Israeli hostages held by Hamas. However, talks collapsed, exacerbating tensions and prompting increased protests in Israel.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the government's handling of the situation, calling for greater tolerance towards the families of hostages. Relatives of the captives have been staging regular demonstrations across Israel, demanding action to secure the release of their loved ones.
Hamas, on the other hand, has insisted on a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza as prerequisites for any agreement. Despite ongoing international efforts to broker a resolution, the standoff between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of immediate resolution, leaving the fate of the hostages uncertain.
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