Families of Israeli captives block main road, demand exchange deal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
8 Mar 2024 20:31

Israeli media have reported that the families of captives held in Gaza blocked the main road between al-Quds and "Tel Aviv", demanding an exchange deal.

An Israeli settler attends a rally against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in “Tel Aviv” on Jan. 21. (AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli settlers protested in "Tel Aviv", condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government policies regarding the Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance in the Gaza Strip.

This comes especially after Israeli media revealed, today, Friday, that the occupation army requested to expand negotiations and exhibit more flexibility in them to ensure a prisoner exchange deal, during a session with the political and security levels.

However, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a group of security chiefs, including the head of the Mossad and the Shin Bet, rejected this request, as confirmed by Israeli media.

Opening up the protests, a group of family members and settlers are currently obstructing traffic on Route 1, the highway connecting "Tel Aviv" and occupied al-Quds, as they call for the immediate release of Israeli captives.

Israeli Walla! website reported that the families of the captives urged Netanyahu to reach an agreement immediately, urging him to allow someone else to do so if he cannot.

They emphasized that there is "no complete victory without the return of the captives."

Addressing Netanyahu, the protesters stated, "You are the leader, and it is your responsibility to bring them back... Go for a deal, ignore Ben Gvir and Smotrich, and retrieve those you abandoned."

The demonstrators also called on the Israeli public to wake up and demand an agreement, stating that if not, "the captives will return in coffins."

One of the participants in the roadblock, Ayala Mitsger, was quoted by Channel 12, as saying, "We have no choice; we are here to remind our prime minister that it is his responsibility to bring them back. They must return home as soon as possible; their time is up. They are dying there, enough. Simply put, we must find any means to bring them back; enough of the delay; it is the responsibility of the officials."

53% of Israelis believe Netanyahu is extending war to stay in power

A recent survey by Israeli Channel 13 showed that 53% of Israelis believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively prolonging the war to stay in power.

When asked what Netanyahu's purpose for extending the Israeli war on Gaza was, 35% of voters said it was to ensure "absolute victory", while a crushing 53% believed it was for his own political interest.

The survey also explored the possibility of cabinet member Benny Gantz staying in government, to which 35% agreed that he and the Israeli opposition should exit, while 46% voted they should remain in government.

This comes amid internal Israeli divisions over Netanyahu's political and war conduct and how he is essentially utilizing the war for his own benefit.