Thousands march in Jerusalem to call for hostage deal, thank Biden for his support

Thousands of Israelis are marching through the center of Jerusalem to the President’s Residence, urging the government to secure a hostage deal with Hamas after US President Joe Biden unveiled an Israeli hostage deal and ceasefire proposal last night.

Protesters chant: “He who abandons, must return [the hostages]” and hold signs thanking Biden for his statement urging an end to the war. Many are holding yellow flags, symbolic of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Although the march was originally planned as an anti-government protest focusing on the upcoming Jerusalem Day holiday, organizers have since shifted gears in what seems a decisive moment for a prospective deal.

The Jerusalem branch of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum is not officially partaking in the event, but a few relatives of the hostages are leading the march.