Protesters besiege Israeli president's home to demand release of prisoners held by Hamas

JERUSALEM (AA) - Hundreds of Israelis demonstrated in front of President Isaac Herzog’s West Jerusalem home on Sunday to demand the release of prisoners being held by the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media.

Herzog met with 80 representatives of the families of the prisoners, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Since Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, it has taken dozens of Israelis as captives, including soldiers and officers.

Thousands of Israelis have been demonstrating across the country on a daily basis, calling on the government to take steps for their release.

Hamas and other Palestinian groups have captured more than 200 Israelis, including high-ranking military personnel, hoping to reach a prisoner exchange deal to free some of the over 6,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, including women and children.

The Israeli army meanwhile targeted Gaza for a 16th day with intensive airstrikes that destroyed entire neighborhoods.

At least 4,385 Palestinians, including 1,756 children and 1,000 women, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza,

An unspecified number of missing persons are also trapped under the rubble of their houses.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.

The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.