Participants at march for hostages highlight physical, sexual violence to which abductees exposed

Relatives and supporters of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas terror group marched in Israel to bring attention to the roughly 132 people remaining in captivity ahead of the war’s 100-day mark.

In one march near Kibbutz Urim in southern Israel, participants sought to focus attention on physical and sexual violence that hostages may be experiencing while in captivity. They bound themselves with red tape and marched behind a woman who writhed in a mobile cage. “Bring our sisters home now!” they chant.

The marches began as Israeli lawyers sought to defend the country against charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Protesters denounced the allegation, brought by South Africa.

“It’s a shame, it’s a shame. We are the one who were murdered, who were kidnaped, who were raped, and we’re going to trial and not the terrorist organization, what is wrong with you?” says Eleanor Sela, one of the marchers.