Thousands of people demonstrated last night in a number of Israeli cities calling for a deal for the release of the 115 hostages believed to be held by the Palestinian Islamist movement "Hamas" in the Gaza Strip, reported DPA, quoted by BTA.
"The military pressure on "Hamas" will lead to the death of more hostages," warned one speaker at the Tel Aviv rally, whose uncle was kidnapped in the Palestinian Islamist movement's attack on Israel on October 7.
The mother of a hostage, for her part, warned that "this is our last chance to reach a deal that will save people".
There were also demonstrations in Jerusalem, Haifa, Be'er Sheva and in front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private villa in Caesarea.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and "Hamas" for a cease-fire agreement and exchange of hostages for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons have been underway for months with the mediation of the US, Qatar and Egypt, but so far there has been little progress due to the incompatible positions of the two sides in the conflict.
The killing of the political head of the Palestinian Islamist movement, Ismail Haniya, in an Israeli attack in the Iranian capital Tehran late last month further worsened prospects for a truce.
Recently, however, US representatives have been talking about a certain convergence of positions, DPA points out. On Thursday, for the first time in a long time, a new round of negotiations will be held. It is expected to take place in Cairo or Doha, as the delegations of Israel and "Hamas" they will not sit at the same table.
According to Israeli estimates, 115 of the approximately 250 hostages that were taken in the attack that took place more than 10 months ago remain in captivity in Gaza. However, many of them may no longer be alive, DPA notes.