Relatives and supporters of those abducted on Oct. 7 in Israel gathered for a somber vigil on Saturday, as they remembered Elad Katzir, whose body was recovered this week in Gaza. The Israeli military announced that they had retrieved Mr. Katzir’s body in Khan Younis and repatriated him, after he was taken by the militant group Islamic Jihad from the Nir Oz Kibbutz.
The news of Mr. Katzir’s death has reignited tensions in Israel, with thousands expected to gather for more protests on the eve of the war’s six-month anniversary on Sunday. Esther Buchstab, the mother of another hostage, Yagev Buchstab, spoke at a vigil in Tel Aviv, demanding that the state do everything to bring back the remaining hostages.
Meanwhile, in Democracy Square, thousands of antigovernment protesters called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take action and bring home the more than 130 hostages still missing since Oct. 7. The protesters expressed their frustration and called for new elections to replace the current government.
As the protest was coming to an end, a car drove through the crowd of demonstrators, injuring several people. The driver ignored police orders to stop, and the incident added to the already tense atmosphere in the country.
Israeli officials are set to meet with representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in Cairo on Sunday to discuss a possible hostage deal that has been stalled for months. President Biden is urging the participants to reach an agreement that leads to an immediate cease-fire and the safe return of the hostages.
The families of the abductees have been organizing weekly rallies in Tel Aviv to pressure the government to make a deal for their relatives’ return. The gatherings have often overlapped with antigovernment protests, highlighting the growing frustration and anger among the Israeli population.
The death of Mr. Katzir has underscored the urgent need for a resolution to the hostage crisis, with many calling for swift action from the Israeli government. The situation remains tense, with the fate of the remaining hostages hanging in the balance.
