The Israeli-Palestinian conflict between Israel and Hamas reached its 100th day this Sunday, marking an important milestone in this deadly conflict. As tensions remain high, a video released by the Palestinian group shows three Israeli hostages begging their government to take them home. This video has caused concern among the hostages’ relatives, who are anxiously awaiting news on their fate.
The Israeli Prime Minister wanted to reassure the families by affirming that he would not give up on anyone and that he was doing everything possible to bring all the hostages home. He stressed that the efforts were constant and never stopped. However, despite the promise to deliver medicine to the hostages, the incessant bombardments on Gaza are fueling the fears of families in Israel.
The latter organized a 24-hour demonstration of support in Tel Aviv, hoping to pressure the government to prioritize the return of the hostages. Some critics say the government is not doing enough to free them.
Since the deadly October 7 attack, in which Hamas and other Palestinian militants captured around 250 people and killed nearly 1,200, most of them civilians, little visible progress has been made toward of a new agreement for the release of the hostages. The families of the hostages are therefore taking this opportunity of the 100th day to launch a new appeal to the government.
Alongside this situation, anti-government protests have also taken place, with demands for early elections and calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Protesters blocked a major highway in Tel Aviv, clashing with police who made arrests to restore order. Some even demonstrated in front of the Prime Minister’s private residence, expressing their dissatisfaction with the management of the crisis.
In northern Lebanon, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech that Israel’s Gaza campaign was “mired in failure.” Tensions rose further after an Israeli airstrike killed an elite Hezbollah commander on January 8. Israel now finds itself engaged in almost daily exchanges of fire with the Lebanese group, an ally of Hamas.
This escalation of violence in the region raises concerns about the possibility of an intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Diplomatic efforts to find a lasting solution seem blocked for the moment, leaving the Israeli hostages and their families in distressing uncertainty.