Thousands of Israelis rally for hostages in weekly protest as Hamas claims one female hostage killed in Gaza

Thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, rallying for the release of the remaining 97 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. While the exact number of surviving hostages is unclear, Israeli officials estimate that approximately 51 are still alive

The protesters, including the parents of U.S.-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists in August, urged the Israeli government to act quickly as the hostages now face dangerous winter conditions and deteriorating health problems in captivity.

The rallies for the hostages came as Hamas’ military wing released a statement announcing that “one of the enemy’s female prisoners was killed in an area that is under Zionist aggression in the northern Gaza Strip, while the danger still threatens the life of another female prisoner who was with her.”

The Israeli military, which is investigating Hamas' claim, could neither confirm nor deny the report. While the terror group refrained from identifying the hostage, it released a blurred image of the body.

“IDF representatives are in contact with her family and are updating them with all the information available to us,” the Israeli military stated, adding that “Hamas continues to use psychological terror and behave in a brutal manner.”

Referring to the weekly Torah portion, "The Life of Sarah," Polin's parents urged the Israeli government to act rather than relying on miracles to save the hostages. 

“Does Abraham expect miracles? No. He proceeds to act,” Rachel Goldberg-Polin stated. “I call on all decision-makers: be like Abraham in the weekly Torah portion.”

“Focus on the most important mission. Bring the hostages home. Don’t accuse, don’t point fingers. Be human beings.”

“We have lost too many cherished souls,” Goldber-Polin said. “There are too many parents like us who have lost their children,” she added.

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is being held captive in Gaza, addressed an anti-government rally in Tel Aviv. She blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to bring home the remaining hostages from Gaza.

“We have a prime minister who has failed to bring my son home for over a year, and has left 100 other hostages to rot and be raped by Hamas terrorists,” she said.  “But the second his spokesman is arrested for leaking classified documents to foreign media, jeopardizing intelligence sources, he comes to his defense,” she added.

“Netanyahu doesn’t care about his citizens who are in Hamas captivity and he doesn’t care about the soldiers who fall in battle. He only cares about his government,” Zangauker said.

Ever since the first hostage release deal was implemented in November 2023, Hamas leaders have systematically rejected all internationally brokered agreements to release the remaining captives.

The terror group has been significantly weakened after more than a year of fighting, including the deaths of its top leaders, Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar and other commanders.

Hamas recently rejected rumors that it would accept a hostage agreement without a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

"Hamas is under severe pressure; it has not surrendered, but it is probable that it is interested in an agreement," an unnamed security source told Israel's Kan public broadcaster.