By Eugenia Yosef and Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN
(CNN) — Protesters took to the streets of several cities across Israel on Saturday, demanding the release of all hostages held in Gaza ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day.
They demanded the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for early elections to be held.
Families of hostages held in Gaza also took part in anti-government protests, including in Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Rehovot, and Haifa.
The protests come as Israel gears up to mark Memorial Day starting Sunday evening.
Many waved Israeli flags and held up signs with images of the Israeli hostages, calling on the government to bring them home alive.
Among those at the protests Saturday was Yael Adar, the mother of Tamir Adar, who was abducted on October 7 and whose death was announced in January. She said all she wanted was to bring back the body of her son so she could hold a proper burial.
“For 90 days, we fought for his return alive, 90 days of hoping that Tamir would return to us, to the bosom of the family – a hope that vanished with the news that he was no longer alive,” Adar said during a rally.
“Since then, all we ask is to bring Tamir and all the murdered hostages back for burial, here in the land they loved. To grant Tamir the burial he deserves. To grant us closure, to have a grave where we can be with his memory,” she added.
Hagit Chen, mother of Itay Chen, who was killed on October 7 and whose remains were taken into Gaza, said she wanted to bury her son in peace.
“How much more suffering can one take? I turn to the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu: It is time that you bring them all back! The living for rehabilitation and the fallen for a respectful, appropriate Jewish burial,” she added.
Hostage died a month ago, Hamas says
The protests came as the Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed that one of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza died more than a month ago.
Abu Obaida, the military wing’s spokesperson, said on Telegram that Nadav Popplewell, who was 51 years old when abducted, had died of wounds he sustained after an Israeli airstrike hit the place where he was held.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office told CNN it did not know whether Popplewell was alive or dead. The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office said it is seeking more information about Popplewell.
“The UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals. We will continue to do all we can to secure the release of hostages,” the office told CNN.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
More Stories
Sri Lanka clinch historic victory over Windies
Tonight’s weather forecast: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Explosion of renal disease in Barbados