Hundreds protest near Kirya in Tel Aviv calling for hostage release deal

Hundreds of protesters led by a handful of hostages’ family members are gathering outside of Tel Aviv’s Kirya military base and demanding an immediate hostage deal.

The demonstrators plan to march to the headquarters of the Histadrut labor federation and call for a general strike in hopes of pressuring the government into negotiating a deal with Hamas to return over 100 hostages it has been holding in Gaza since October 7.

One of the protest’s leaders Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan Zangauker is held captive in Gaza, has risen to prominence in recent weeks for her outspoken criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The march is taking place at the same time as a larger rally organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which aspires to political neutrality.

Miri, one of the chant leaders at the demonstration, tells The Times of Israel that the march to the Histadrut headquarters is a “true protest” designed to put pressure on the government, and says that she feels the Hostages’ Square rally does not push hard enough for a negotiated deal for the hostages’ return.