Israeli police arrest 2 protesters demanding prisoner swap deal with Palestinians

By Anadolu staff

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli police on Monday arrested two women protesters in West Jerusalem demanding a deal with Palestinians to ensure the release of captives held in Gaza.

“Hostages deal and cease-fire now,” reads a banner waved by protesters during a rally held outside the home of Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Haaretz newspaper reported.

Protesters called for an immediate cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement with Palestinians.

Last week, Israeli officials have reported progress in indirect negotiations to reach a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

Israel, which according to prisoners’ groups has more than 10,000 Palestinians in its prisons, estimates that there are around 100 Israeli captives in Gaza. Hamas has said that 33 captives had been killed in indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt and Qatar to reach a cease-fire have so far failed due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to halt the war on Gaza.

Israel has continued a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed more than 45,200 people, most of them women and children, since an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

Last month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar