‘Last chance’: Thousands in Tel Aviv rally for hostage deal for fifth straight night
A protest outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza has swelled to around 2,000 people, who chant slogans against the government and in favor of a ceasefire deal.
“We are all hostages of the government of blood!” protesters yell. “A deal that isn’t signed murders everyone!”
The rally begins in earnest when marching hostage families and others arrive from Habima Square bearing 27 mock coffins, in a symbolic funeral for 27 hostages killed in captivity in Gaza.
Activists hold a mock funeral procession for 27 hostages killed in Gaza, at a demonstration demanding a ceasefire to bring remaining captives home, in front of Tel Aviv's IDF headquarters. pic.twitter.com/4AxD32B1W7
— Noam Lehmann (@noamlehmann) September 5, 2024
A bonfire is lit on Begin Street, but is quickly put out by police.
“If there isn’t a deal, we’ll burn down the country — this is the last chance!” the crowd chants.
The protest marks the fifth night in a row of major demonstrations shutting down Begin Street, a locus of the protest movement, since the remains of the six executed hostages were recovered from Gaza on Sunday.
On one side of the crowd, the road is graffitied with the names of hostages. On the other side, cardboard planks spell out: “Here lie our hostages.”
Inside the crowd, a man in Hasidic garb draws attention and applause as he delivers a philippic against Netanyahu.
“Redeeming the hostages is the entire Torah!” he shouts into a megaphone.
