Thousands of protesters marched in Tel Aviv on Thursday (15/8), demanding that the Israeli government reach a deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
“Without them (the hostages), this country is incomplete. Without them, this country is destroyed,” said Yoni Levy, father of hostage Naama Levy.
As the demonstrations raged, international mediators met with Israeli negotiators in Doha for a new round of talks, hoping to reach a ceasefire agreement. Hamas did not attend the talks.
“We thought this was our last chance to bring them home,” said protester David Shapiro.
The new round of talks aims to end the Israel-Hamas war and secure the release of a number of Israeli hostages, with a potential deal seen by mediators as the best hope of averting a wider regional conflict.
The war was sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7, in which militants from Gaza stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others.
Israel says the militants are still holding about 110 hostages and the bodies of more than 30 others.
The Health Ministry in Gaza announced on Thursday that more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war. (about/after)
