Demonstrations against Netanyahu in occupied al-Quds, Washington
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Families of Israeli prisoners protest outside Netanyahu's headquarters in occupied al-Quds, demanding a resumption of the prisoner exchange agreement, while a demonstration also took place in the US during his visit.
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People take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in 'Tel Aviv', occupied Palestine April 5, 2025. (AP)
Israeli Channel 11 reported that families of Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance in the Gaza Strip and families of former captives are demonstrating in front of the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in occupied al-Quds.
During a protest outside Netanyahu's house, families read testimonies from returning Israeli captives. Idan Alexander's grandmother directly addressed Netanyahu, urging him, "You must meet with US President Donald Trump and secure a deal that brings everyone home. You deserve to be remembered in Jewish history for bringing all the prisoners back."
Erez Adar, whose uncle was killed on October 7, also spoke out, saying, "This is my first time here because we’ve reached a dead end. The kidnapped soldiers have been ignored, we’ve been shouting, and nothing is changing. I urge the prime minister to bring the hostages home in one decisive action, offering hope for a better future."
Demonstrations were also held in Washington, DC, as Netanyahu arrived to meet with Trump.
"Israel's" Channel 7 reported that both Israelis and American Jews staged a protest outside Blair House in Washington, DC, upon Netanyahu's arrival. Around 50 protesters gathered, chanting "shame" and urging Trump not to "fall into his trap" while calling for the revival of the prisoner return agreement.
Netanyahu is currently visiting the United States, where he is set to meet with President Trump and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House on Monday. Witkoff's attendance suggests that "Trump and Netanyahu are discussing the prisoners' issue," according to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
As the aggression against Gaza continues, families of Israeli prisoners have been protesting against Netanyahu's government, accusing him of risking their children’s lives for political gain.
They argue that negotiation is the only viable solution for their return, a point confirmed by the Palestinian Resistance. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid and dismissed Security Minister Yoav Galant have both warned that renewed conflict in Gaza would lead to the death of Israeli captives.
Time is running out
The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, released a video titled "Time is Running Out," showing two Israeli prisoners it holds.
In the video, the two Israeli captives shared their account of surviving an Israeli airstrike, "The Israeli army decided to bomb us and hit the building we were in. But we survived, thanks to God and to the Hamas fighters who risked their lives and got us out to breathe some fresh air. When the bombing began, they rushed us back into the tunnels."
The day before the video was released, the military spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced, "Half of the enemy's living prisoners are in areas the occupation army has requested to be evacuated in recent days."
On Sunday, the Brigades announced that its fighters targeted the Israeli-occupied city of Isdud [Ashdod] with a barrage of rockets in response to the Israeli massacres of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Israeli media had reported sirens in the center of occupied Palestine, as well as in Askalan [Ashkelon] and Isdud [Ashdod]. Israeli media also noted that seven rockets targeted Isdud.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Israeli military stated that 10 rockets were fired from Gaza, claiming that some were intercepted.
Three settlers were reported injured in Askalan, with panic spreading among settlers and significant damage to cars, buildings, and streets due to direct hits in the occupied town, as well as in the Shefela region south of Tel Aviv.
