Protests calling to bring the hostages home, which had moved online or become smaller to adapt to the security situation, began to resume Saturday night.
While still subdued due to the threat of Iranian missile strikes following Israeli strikes on Iran, protesters gathered around the country to call for the return of the hostages.
Some small groups stood outside the homes of ministers, with a group gathered outside the home of Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli.
Among other locations, protesters also stood outside the home of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and Education Minister Yoav Kisch.
Protesters outside Barkat’s home stood in a long line, holding a ribbon with the pictures of hostages hanging from it.
Two protest art installations were erected Saturday at the Likud’s Tel Aviv Metzudat Ze’ev headquarters.
In one of the installations, hostages’ families stood with The Women’s Protest for the Return of the Hostages holding huge posters with the faces of their captive loved ones.
The protest organization commented on the fact that some have begun counting the days of Israel’s operation in Iran, rather than counting the total more than 600 days of war since October 7.
“Any counting of days starting over again is an attempt to blur the fact that this is a forever war that has been going on for 623 days,” the group said Saturday.
They also called this “proof that the government of death wants to make the Israeli public forget the abandonment of the hostages.”
“Enough. Finish the war and bring them all home.”
Protest installation of giant clock with hostage ribbons instead of numbers
In another protest installation, protesters held up a giant clock with hostage ribbons instead of numbers.
“Even tonight, the hostages continue to suffer and die in Gaza, and the government of destruction continues to crush everything that allows Israel to strike its enemies – professionalism, education, responsibility, and above all, solidarity and caring for each other – and continues to turn Israel into a weak, backward state,” protesters said.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also held an online rally Saturday night at which families and released hostages spoke.
“The IDF spokesperson, prime minister, and chief of staff make endless statements about legitimacy and achievements,” said Macabit Mayer, whose nephews Gali and Ziv Berman are still held by Hamas. “I’m waiting to hear a sentence, a word, a letter about the 53 souls.”
Since her statement, the bodies of Yonatan Samerano, Shay Levinson, and Ofra Keidar were returned from the Gaza Strip, leaving 50 hostages still held in Gaza.