Protests swept through Tel Aviv and surrounding areas on Sunday as families of Israeli captives held by the Palestinian resistance took to the streets, demanding immediate action from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to secure their relatives’ release through a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

From early morning, demonstrators gathered across Tel Aviv, urging the Israeli regime to prioritize negotiations with the Palestinian resistance in Gaza. The families emphasized that a comprehensive agreement with Hamas is the only viable path to bring their loved ones home. However, Netanyahu has continued to impose what critics call unrealistic and provocative conditions, including the complete disarmament of the Palestinian resistance, stalling any potential deal.

Hamas has repeatedly stated its readiness to release all Israeli captives in a single agreement, provided Israel halts its military aggression against Gaza and lifts the nearly two-decade-long blockade that has devastated the enclave. Resistance leaders have stressed that any humanitarian exchange must address the broader plight of the Palestinian people living under siege.

In a bold move to escalate pressure, protesters blocked Route 531, a major highway in occupied Palestine, causing significant traffic disruptions. The demonstrations reflect growing internal discontent within Israel, with families accusing the Netanyahu government of prioritizing political objectives over the lives of its citizens.

The protests underscore a deepening crisis within the Israeli regime, as public frustration mounts over its handling of the captive issue and its broader policies in Gaza. Hamas, meanwhile, has tied the release of captives to an end to Israeli bombardments and the lifting of the blockade, framing the issue as part of the Palestinian struggle against occupation. The standoff continues to fuel tensions, both within Israel and in its ongoing conflict with the Palestinian resistance. (ILKHA)