Skip next section Hundreds gather in Tel Aviv to protest hostage killings
December 16, 2023

Hundreds gather in Tel Aviv to protest hostage killings

People protest following an announcement by Israel's military that they had mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages being held in Gaza
The crowd was heard chanting slogans, demanding that the remaining hostages be brought homeImage: Violeta Santos Moura/REUTERS

Scores of people took to the streets in Tel Aviv to protest the death of the three hostages mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza, according to media reports.

Local media reports and images on television showed protesters blocking a main street in the center of the city, demanding the government take immediate action to secure the release of the hostages.

"Their time is running out! Bring them home now!" the crowd was heard chanting, according to a report by The Times of Israel. "There is no victory until every last hostage is released!" was also heard.

The demonstrators carried placards with pictures of the hostages as they marched toward the Israeli military headquarters, DPA news agency reported.

Some protesters criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for not doing enough to secure their release. Several pressed for another hostage deal, as was implemented at the end of November as part of a brief cease-fire. 

Of the 240 hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 terror attacks in southern Israel, 110 were returned as part of the cease-fire arrangement, along with several Russian-Israelis and Thai nationals and a Filipino freed in separate deals. 

Israel, the US, Germany, the EU and other governments designate Hamas a terror organization.

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