Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Families of Hamas captives continue march to Jerusalem

Protests are planned in Israel’s capital to demand the return of the hostages in Gaza.

Israelis march in Tel Aviv towards the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, as part of a protest for the release of Israelis held kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in Gaza on Nov. 14, 2023. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90.
Israelis march in Tel Aviv towards the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, as part of a protest for the release of Israelis held kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in Gaza on Nov. 14, 2023. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90.

Families of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza on Wednesday began the second day of their march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to bring attention to the plight of their loved ones and call for their release.

Hamas terrorists took captive more than 200 people during their murderous Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel.

The march set off from Be’er Ya’akov on Wednesday morning on their way to meet with local residents at the Ramla-Lod interchange in the afternoon, before marching toward Beit Hashmonai, where they will spend the night.

They are asking the public to join them in the march.

The marchers are scheduled to arrive in Jerusalem on Saturday, where they will protest outside of the Knesset and the official residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to demand the return of their loved ones.

If and when there is “something concrete to report” on the fate of as many as 240 hostages held by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem will do so, Netanyahu said on Tuesday evening.

“Since the beginning of the war, we have been working relentlessly for the release of the hostages, including using increased pressure since the start of the ground incursion,” he said, adding, “Our hearts are always with the hostages and their families.”

“We will keep litigating until we get to the truth,” Randy Mastro told JNS, after oral arguments in New York County Supreme Court. “I’m sure the court will hear us when these procedural issues are behind us.”
Forum HaGevura (“The Heroism Forum”) warned in the letter, a copy of which the group provided to JNS, that Hamas was exploiting the fact that Israel stopped taking the initiative in Gaza.
“I’m seeing what’s going on in New York,” Stav Cohen, founder of the Israeli nonprofit Frontline Advocates, told JNS. “I fear for my speakers’ lives.”
Community leaders help seek a mother and daughter from Modi’in as an Israeli court restricts publication of investigative details.