600 Days of Hostage Crisis: Tel Aviv Families Stage Poignant Beach Protest

Tel Aviv families marked 600 days of the Gaza hostage crisis with a poignant beach protest on Wednesday, May 28th. They formed a large yellow ribbon on the sand, symbolizing their hope for the return of their loved ones. Activists also held signs with messages like "Stop Your Wars! Get Everybody Home!" One woman interviewed stated, "600 days since 58 innocent people were kidnapped by Hamas and dragged into the tunnels of Gaza. 600 days of darkness, 600 days without freedom." The protest highlights the ongoing human cost of the conflict and the families' unwavering determination for the safe return of their hostages. Hamas has indicated a willingness to release the hostages in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the war will only end after Hamas is eradicated. This difference in approach underscores the complexity of the situation and the challenges in achieving a lasting peace.