Families of Israeli captives held in Gaza are increasing their public criticism against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, accusing him of abandoning them and failing to secure their release even as the conflict in Gaza drags on for too long.
Family members of hostages held signs reading “Bring Them Home Now” and “Their Blood Is on Your Hands,” demanding immediate action by the government. Many held photos of their loved ones still missing since October 7th’s Hamas-led attack.
Miriam Dayan asked Mr. Netanyahu: “How are you sleeping, Mr. Netanyahu, while our children are trapped underground Gaza?” Eitan Dayan had been captured during the cross-border assault and is still missing after over one year has gone by despite your promise that they would come home. Our family continues to wait. And continue suffering.
These protests represent the latest demonstration by hostage families against Prime Minister Netanyahu for prioritizing military goals over humanitarian efforts to recover more than 120 Israeli captives believed still alive in Gaza, with negotiations for their release being led by Egypt, Qatar and the US yet repeatedly failing.
Many relatives feel betrayed by the government’s lack of commitment and transparency.
“Our family was left behind,” lamented Ori Ben-Haim, whose wife Yael was taken hostage during an attack on Kibbutz Be’eri. “We were told ‘they are top priority,’ yet no evidence supports that claim.”
On Friday, several prominent hostage families issued an open letter addressed directly to Netanyahu in which they described his leadership as morally bankrupt and demanded renewed diplomatic efforts and prisoner exchange efforts.
“Your decisions are sending our loved ones slowly but steadily towards death,” read the letter from families affected. It went on to state: “While we recognize national strength is important, one that abandons its own cannot truly call itself strong.
Israel continues its military operations in southern and central Gaza with the stated aim of dismantling Hamas infrastructure; however, reports from Israeli media indicate little public progress regarding captives held captive by Hamas. Furthermore, intelligence on hostage locations has become “increasingly fragmented” due to ongoing war resulting in widespread confusion.
As domestic pressure has intensified, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s approval ratings have continued to decline dramatically. On Saturday night he issued a short statement in which he defended the actions taken by his government.
“We are doing everything possible to return our citizens,” he noted, “but this cannot come at the cost of national security or under threat from terrorism.
But for many families, that justification rings hollow.
Anat Klein, who lost his teenage daughter during the October 7 attack at a music festival, spoke out against this type of inhumane security and its cruelty: “Security without humanity is cruelty; each day that passes is torture for them and us alike.”
Demonstrations are expected to continue throughout the week, with families planning a nationwide march towards Jerusalem and sit-ins outside key government buildings. Many participants say they won’t stop until their voices — and those of their loved ones — cannot any longer go unheard.