Protesters blocked a highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on April 19 to demand the government secure a deal to release hostages who are still held captive by the Hamas militant group in Gaza.

The protesters, mostly relatives of hostages, chanted “Deal now” as they set up a roadblock near Ben Shemen, setting garbage bins on fire and causing a traffic jam on Highway 1 heading from Tel Aviv towards Jerusalem.

Hamas seized more than 200 people during the Oct. 7 attack that Israel said killed about 1,200 people, sparking the war in Gaza. More than 100 of the hostages were freed in a November truce.

Efforts to secure another hostage release have failed.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh will travel to Turkey at the weekend to hold talks with President Tayyip Erdogan.

Meanwhile, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on April 17 that talks on a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages are at a “delicate phase.”

#israel #gaza #palestine #worldnews
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