Mothers of hostages demonstrate in front of Netanyahu's residence

Israeli mothers of hostages demonstrated on Friday in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, demanding the signing of an agreement that ensures the return of their children and other hostages, as reported by the daily Haaretz, amidst reports of an Israeli delegation visiting Qatar.

"We are living through a critical period and these negotiations must progress. We are preparing to come in greater numbers and with more force to achieve this," said Eilat Levy-Shahar, whose daughter Naama was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, by Palestinian commandos.

On Thursday, Netanyahu authorized the Israeli negotiators from the Mossad, the external intelligence service, Shin Bet, the internal intelligence services, and the army to continue negotiations in Doha, according to a statement from his office, in reference to the indirect talks held in recent weeks under the mediation of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, which have renewed hope for an agreement.

However, at the end of last December, both parties accused each other of creating new obstacles delaying, according to them, the conclusion of an agreement for the release of the hostages. A Hamas delegation had arrived in Cairo to prepare for negotiations in Doha "in the coming days," said a representative of the Palestinian movement to AFP under the condition of anonymity.

Shira, the mother of Liri Elbag, abducted at the same time as Naama, stated: "We are suffocating with worry, we cry at night, and we are filled with anger. We need the Prime Minister to act to bring them home. We know a meeting is scheduled today about the hostages, and we pray they make the right decisions and say that’s enough - we want them to come home. We are exhausted; they need to be here."

Niva, whose son Omer Wankert was abducted during a rave near the Gaza border, addressed the Prime Minister: "I demand that you do what is necessary today, now. Sign an agreement to bring everyone home. The State of Israel is ready, resilient, strong. Omer, Naama, and Liri cannot shout: 'Mr. Prime Minister, save us!' It is your duty and responsibility, do it today."

According to a tally by AFP based on official figures, the Hamas attack resulted in the death of over 1,200 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians. More than 45,500 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military retaliation campaign on the Gaza Strip, mostly civilians, according to data from the Health Ministry of the Hamas government in Gaza, deemed reliable by the U.N.