In Israel, meanwhile, protesters disrupted a speech by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a memorial for victims of the October 7 attacks as Gaza ceasefire talks resumed in Doha, Qatar.
During Sunday’s ceremony, which was meant to be at least partly one of unison, onlookers called out to Netanyahu loudly enough to interrupt the official for over a minute into his speech. Several shouts of “Shame on you” were heard, while at one point, an exasperated voice shouted, “My father was killed.” Family members of the bereaved had not been scheduled to speak initially out of fear they might attack the government, but protests saw them included.
When Israel was attacked on October 7, 2022, it was estimated that 1,139 people were killed, while more than 200 others were taken hostage. As of today, close to 100 hostages remain held in Gaza, and the pressure is rising amidst the public for Netanyahu’s government to negotiate their freedom.
In a related development, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for a tentative two-day truce in Gaza by allowing the release of four Israeli hostages in return for the freedom of Palestinian detainees. His offer came amid resumed diplomatic efforts in Doha, where senior officials from the CIA and Israel’s Mossad convened.
El-Sisi said that negotiations should be carried out within ten days of the execution of the ceasefire so that a permanent agreement can be reached with hope. The remaining captives’ families and several Western leaders have asked for the Israeli government to work out a deal after the murder of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Critics in Israel have accused Netanyahu of blocking truce negotiations and hostage releases. The Israeli military puts the number of dead captives at 34. In a separate speech, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said military action would not achieve Israel’s goals, implying painful concessions will have to be made to bring hostages home.
