Mass demonstration in Tel Aviv: 200,000 demand freedom for hostages!

Mass demonstration in Tel Aviv: 200,000 demand freedom for hostages!

There was a lot going on in Tel Aviv on Sunday, August 17, 2025! Over 200,000 people gathered in the center of the city to show solidarity with those affected by the Hamas hostage crisis. These mass protests were initiated by the Hostage Relatives Forum, which called for a nationwide strike to shut down the country on Sunday in solidarity with the hostages. The protesters not only demanded the release of the hostages, but also an end to the terrible war in Gaza. Radio Euskirchen reports that numerous streets, including a central expressway, were blocked and that the demonstrators are campaigning for their concerns with Israeli and yellow flags.

Despite the strong participation, the trade union umbrella organization Histadrut did not join the protests, but showed understanding for the strikers' reasons. Various companies, municipalities and major theaters in Tel Aviv also closed shop on Sunday to show their support. Over 30 people found themselves in custody while water cannons were used against protesters in Jerusalem.

Call for peace and freedom

Amid this charged atmosphere, it was repeatedly emphasized that the Israeli government was not seriously trying to free the hostages through an agreement. Relatives of hostages spoke openly about their concerns, while ex-hostages vehemently called for the return of current hostages. The example of a Nepali agricultural student whose sister reported on the fate of her brother, who is also in captivity, shows how dramatic the situation is. Hollywood star Gal Gadot also appeared and expressed her solidarity with the affected families.

Will the protests be heard? Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized the mass protests and defended the upcoming military course aimed at taking control of the city of Gaza and other areas. Chief of General Staff Ejal Zamir announced that military operations against Hamas would be increased.

Shocking death toll

The situation in the Gaza Strip has reached catastrophic proportions: since the war began on October 7, 2023, which followed an attack by Hamas, around 1,200 people have been killed and over 250 kidnapped as hostages. The Palestinian Health Authority reports that almost 62,000 Palestinians have been killed, a figure that illustrates the scale of the conflict. The dispute between Israel and Hamas continues, while indirect negotiations to end the war and release the hostages have so far remained fruitless. President Izchak Herzog has therefore called on international decision-makers to put pressure on Hamas.