Israeli protesters demand Netanyahu resign for failing to return prisoners

JERUSALEM (AA) - The families of Israeli prisoners in Gaza held by Hamas organized a protest Saturday in Tel Aviv where they voiced sharp criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded his resignation.

The Times of Israel news website reported that protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Defense where anger escalated as protesters shifted their focus to criticizing the prime minister and chanted: “Go to prison, Bibi (Netanyahu)!” and “Leave.”

The crowd raised banners that read: “Bibi (Netanyahu), your hands are stained with blood”, “We have been abandoned”, “Return the hostages immediately” and “There is no trust, resign.”

Monica Levy, 62, who lost Mapal Adam, 25 -- a family member -- was quoted as saying, Netanyahu is most interested in his survival, and “is willing to sacrifice us all.”

She demanded that Netanyahu and his government “go home,” because she said they abandoned the people in the south and neglected the lives of the residents. “They are obsessed with their petty politics,” said Levy.

The website noted that a lone pro-Netanyahu demonstrator was screaming in support of the government in the crowd before police separated him from other demonstrators.

Palestinian sources, including the Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa channel, said Saturday that a large number of Israeli prisoners kept in the Gaza Strip have been killed or wounded during ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the enclave.

Hamas was able to capture an undeclared number of Israelis during its attack on settlements and military establishments surrounding Gaza on the first day of the operation Al-Aqsa Flood on Oct. 7.

Hamas announced Monday it would not negotiate a prisoner exchange under fire, according to a televised speech by military spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the movement’s military arm.