Demonstrations will take place in Israel and around the world to mark the countdown to the grim milestone of 100 days of captivity, demanding the release of those abducted by Hamas on October 7. 132 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza after 105 were released during a week-long ceasefire in late November. Four hostages had previously been released and one was rescued by the Israeli military. The bodies of eight hostages were also recovered, three others were accidentally killed by the Israeli army. Israeli forces confirmed the deaths of 25 people still being held by Hamas, citing new information they received from forces operating in Gaza. Another person has been missing since October 7th and their fate is still unknown.
Macron's message
“France does not abandon its children, which is why negotiations for their release must be repeated and renewed again and again,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a message to demonstrators in Tel Aviv demanding the release of the hostages. In his speech, Macron referred to Eitan Yahalomi, Mia Schem, Erez and Sahar Calderon, released prisoners with French citizenship, and recalled Elia Toledano, who was killed after being kidnapped on October 7. “The French nation,” he said again, “is determined to ensure that the still imprisoned parents Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Calderon return to their released children, that Orion Hernandez Radoux is released and that all the hostages of the October 7 terrorist attacks are released .” “.
Israeli Chief of Staff: “Time is running out”
“Time is running out for the hostages to return,” says Israeli Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi, saying “no to attempts to extort the ceasefire.” “A hundred days have passed since the war began. One hundred days in which the hostages are still held by the cruel Hamas terrorists in Gaza. We are working by all means, mostly covertly, to return them, and we will continue to do so until they are all returned. This task is not yet completed. I know that every minute has a crucial meaning and we are not indifferent. The time for the return of the hostages is running out and we do not forget it for a moment.” Halevi then wanted to reiterate that “in order to achieve real results, we must continue to operate in the enemy's territory, without allowing attempts to extort a ceasefire, which apparently will not lead to real results”.
Highway blocked in Tel Aviv
A group of Israelis demanding the release of prisoners held in Gaza, new elections and the end of Benjamin Netanyahu's term as prime minister blocked a highway in Tel Aviv yesterday, according to Israeli media reports that included protesters were dragged away by the police.
Hamas thanks Qatar: “Medicines also for Israeli hostages”
A Hamas official thanked Qatar for supplying medicine to the Gaza Strip “given the numerous risks threatening the lives of Palestinians.” “Some drugs are used to treat Israeli prisoners,” Osama Hamdan, a Lebanon-based Hamas leader, added at a news conference in Beirut. Israel announced last Friday that it had signed an agreement with Qatar that would allow the delivery of medicines to hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
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