JERUSALEM

Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Friday blocked streets in Tel Aviv, demanding a hostage exchange deal that would lead to the release of their loved ones.

According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, the families closed two streets and Namir Road in Tel Aviv as part of their protest, urging the government to negotiate a hostage exchange deal.

The families also called on Israeli citizens to join protests across the country to pressure the government to strike a deal for the release of the hostages.

“The government has abandoned them,” the families said in a statement on X. “Take to the streets, but there is no chance that the citizens of Israel will abandon them.“

The protesters criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that "for nearly a year, the prime minister has failed to achieve the ultimate goal of the war: the return of all hostages. It’s time he stopped inventing excuses and moved forward with a deal to bring back the 101 hostages."

Israel currently holds at least 9,500 Palestinian prisoners in its jails, while it is estimated that 101 Israelis are being held in Gaza. Hamas said that dozens of hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.

Indirect negotiations between Tel Aviv and Hamas have reached a critical stage, as Netanyahu remains committed to continuing the war in Gaza and controlling key areas in the south and center of the strip, such as the Philadelphi and Netzarim Corridors. Hamas, on the other hand, demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of displaced people without restrictions.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since a Hamas attack last October despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 41,100 people, mostly women and children, have since been killed and over 95,100 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi.