Thousands of Israeli citizens gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding an immediate prisoner exchange agreement to secure the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip. The demonstration took place near a government complex housing the Ministry of Defence, with police and emergency services blocking streets and setting up barriers to prevent unrest, as had occurred during previous protests.

Initially organised by a movement calling for early elections in Israel, the protest expanded to include support for the families of captives. Participants displayed photos of the captives and urged the Israeli cabinet to end the ongoing conflict to facilitate their safe return.

In a related development, 112 Israeli citizens, including former captives and relatives of those currently detained, filed a petition with the Supreme Court. They accused the Israeli government of failing to protect their fundamental rights, neglecting the issue of prisoners in Gaza, and violating basic laws.

Among the petitioners is Rana Guma, mother of Or and Yigal Yaakov, who were captured in Nir Oz. Their father, Yair, was killed during the capture, and his body remains in Gaza. In an interview with Israeli radio, Guma expressed frustration, stating that for 15 months, the government has neglected its responsibility, constituting a clear violation of fundamental laws. He criticised Israel's priorities, noting that the issue of kidnapped individuals should be at the forefront of media coverage and on the political agenda of officials.

These events highlight growing public pressure on the Israeli government to prioritise the release of captives and address the concerns of affected families amid ongoing tensions in the region.