ISRAELIS CALL FOR RETURN OF ALL HOSTAGES TOGETHER AS FIRST PHASE OF DEAL ENDS
Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling for the return of all remaining hostages as the last six, out of the 33 meant to be released in the first phase of the deal, were handed over by Hamas.
Thousands packed the city’s Hostages Square and the defense ministry to demand all of the remaining 63 captives be returned together rather than a few every week. Less than half of those are believed to be alive and are due to be released under the three-phase ceasefire deal mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
Israel was due to free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in return for the hostages but late on Saturday none of them had left the Israeli jails.
