Thousands in Tel Aviv call for hostage swap deal to continue

Protesters called for the return of Israelis held in Gaza, urging authorities to prioritise negotiations.

Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv yesterday to demand the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange process, Anadolu Agency reported.

The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which began on 19 January, ended yesterday. Negotiations for the second… pic.twitter.com/hBotccdsex

— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) March 2, 2025

Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv yesterday to demand the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange process, Anadolu Agency reported.

The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which began on 19 January, ended yesterday. Negotiations for the second phase were scheduled to begin on 3 February. However, Israel has not yet initiated negotiations.

In a statement earlier today, Hamas said the hostage exchange will only resume after the two sides engage in the second phase of Gaza ceasefire negotiations, as originally agreed.

The ceasefire deal stopped Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza that has killed more than 48,360 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

READ: Israel’s Netanyahu avoids 2nd phase negotiations on Gaza ceasefire deal: Opposition leader

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