Thousands in Tel Aviv Square for Release of Gaza Hostages

The Israeli military has released images of a Hamas tunnel located under the European Hospital in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, which was used by the terror group as one of its main command centers during the October 7 attack. In an attack on the tunnel on May 13, the Times of Israel recalls, Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar was killed, along with other senior commanders of the terror group.

After a window at Jerusalem’s Supreme Court was shattered while a right-wing demonstration took place outside, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “strongly” condemned any violence against any member of the public. He called on law enforcement and civil leaders “to condemn and act decisively against all manifestations of violence and incitement to hatred, without exception.” Opposition leader Yair Lapid blamed Netanyahu’s government for the shattered window, which the prime minister did not directly mention in his statement.

Mujahideen Brigades leader Asaad Abu Sharia was killed in an Israeli raid in Gaza City, the IDF said, adding that Abu Sharia took part in the invasion of Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023, and was "directly involved" in kidnappings and killings of civilians, including members of the Bibas family.

Thousands of people protested Saturday in Tel Aviv to demand the release of hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip and a ceasefire after 20 months of war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. The crowd gathered in the city's "Hostage Square," where the mother of hostage Matan Zangkauer expressed her anger after Hamas published a photo of her son with the caption "he will not return alive" in English and Hebrew. "I can no longer stand this nightmare. The angel of death, Netanyahu, continues to sacrifice hostages, using the Israeli army not to protect Israel's security, but to continue the war and protect his government. It is a disgrace," Einav Zangkauer said. "The people choose the hostages! Only a comprehensive agreement for the return of our loved ones will lead to real victory," some participants shouted, according to the Families Forum, the main organization for the relatives of hostages captured by Hamas during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.