Israeli demonstrators call for ceasefire deal and return of hostages
Protesters carried banners reading 'Bring them home now' as they demanded that the Israeli government bring about an end to the conflict.
The relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages gathered following reports that both Hamas and Israel have reacted positively the outlines of a US-brokered truce deal.
Israeli media reported on Saturday that a decision was made to dispatch a delegation to Qatar to hold hostage deal talks with Hamas amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Hamas on Friday said it had given a 'positive' response to the latest proposal, but said further talks were needed on implementation. It was not clear whether their statement meant they accepted a proposal from US President Donald Trump for a 60-day ceasefire.
Hamas has been seeking guarantees that any ceasefire would bring about a permanent end to the war – now nearly 21 months old.
Trump has been pushing hard for a deal and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit him in the White House next week.
The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. About 50 of them still in captivity in Gaza.
Israel responded with an offensive that has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is led by medical professionals employed by the Hamas government.
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