From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Protesters block Tel Aviv highway as they call for hostage deal: ‘It’s either Rafah or the hostages’
Protesters block Tel Aviv’s Ayalon Highway in a demonstration calling for an immediate hostage deal.
Holding a large banner reading “It’s either Rafah or the hostages — choose life,” the protesters stand in the middle of the busy road to prevent traffic from passing.
Channel 12 reports that several family members of hostages are leading the protest, including Yehuda Cohen, the father of 19-year-old Nimrod Cohen, and Shay Mozes, the nephew of 79-year-old Gadi Mozes.
Also in attendance are members of a female-led protest group that is calling for Israel not to launch its looming offensive in Rafah, warning that it will endanger the lives of the hostages, many of whom are believed to be held in Gaza’s southernmost city.
“Entering Rafah means abandoning the lives of the hostages,” the group says in a statement to the media. “After half a year of being promised that only military action can bring back the hostages, we all understand that the only way to save those who can still be saved is through a deal.
“Don’t give in to the pressure of extremists who use the hostages as an excuse to continue waging war,” the group adds, addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In recent days, far-right members of Netanyahu’s government including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have warned against making a hostage deal that requires dramatic concessions on Israel’s part.
