Relatives of hostages march to PM’s home, ask him to meet them, detail plans to free their loved ones

Families are leading a protest march from the Knesset to the prime minister’s residence, demanding a hostage-ceasefire deal for their loved ones’ release.

“Had the prime minister wanted it, the hostages would be back here within a few days, even by the High Holidays,” says Anat Angrest, whose son Matan is a hostage in Gaza.

Speaking before the march sets out, Angrest laments that a “hostages’ routine” has developed in Israel since October 7, 2023, marked by “great sadness, from rally to rally.”

“Decision-makers, some of them who haven’t served a day in the army, betray the army, are sending soldiers to fight and die,” she says.

Vicky Cohen, the mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, tells the crowd she has “not slept 698 nights” out of worry for her son.

“The time has come for you, too, to not sleep,” she says, addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Prime minister, I’m on my way to you. I expect you to come out and greet us and explain to us what the plan will be to return Nimrod and all the other hostages,” she continues.

Marchers continue to Netanyahu’s house, flanked by dozens of police and Border Police officers.

There is a larger police presence than is usually visible at rallies for the hostages, after a group of protesters this morning lit fires that destroyed a car near the prime minister’s home.