By Khaled Yousef
JERUSALEM (AA) - Tens of thousands of Israelis protested Saturday in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Caesarea, Kiryat Gat and other cities to demand a hostage swap deal with Hamas.
Demonstrators gathered to protest in Paris Square in occupied Jerusalem, in front of the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv and near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in Caesarea, according to the Haaretz newspaper.
"Israeli police closed some roads and passages to block the protesters, but they continued their march to express opposition to Netanyahu's policies and to demand a swift completion of a prisoner and hostage swap deal with Hamas,” it said.
Police tried to confront some protesters who were burning tires, including families and relatives of captives held by the Palestinian resistance group in Gaza, according to the newspaper.
It noted that "Israeli police arrested seven protesters who attempted to break through the barriers set by the police.”
The protesters “held up pictures of Israeli hostages in Gaza and those who were killed in the strip during the war" near Netanyahu's residence, said Haaretz.
The demonstrators urged Netanyahu's government “to make an immediate deal to swap hostages with Palestinian factions in Gaza before it is too late.”
Israel currently holds at least 9,500 Palestinian prisoners in its jails, while it is estimated that 101 Israelis are being held in Gaza. Hamas said that dozens of hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.
Indirect negotiations between Tel Aviv and Hamas have reached a critical stage, as Netanyahu remains committed to continuing the war in Gaza and controlling key areas in the south and center of the strip, such as the Philadelphi and Netzarim Corridors. Hamas, on the other hand, demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of those displaced without restrictions.
Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza since a Hamas attack last October despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
Nearly 41,200 victims, mostly women and children, have since been killed and more than 95,200 injured, according to local health authorities.
The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population in the enclave amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.
Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala