Protesters in Jerusalem urge Netanyahu to secure hostage deal during meeting with Trump

A few dozen protesters gathered Monday outside the Jerusalem residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call for a deal securing the release of all hostages.

The gathering took place ahead of Netanyahu’s trip to Washington, where the Israeli PM is set to meet with US President Donald Trump.

Monday also marked one and a half years since Hamas militants launched their 7 October assault on southern Israel, killing over 1,250 people and taking more than 250 people hostage.

According to Israeli authorities, 24 hostages are believed to be alive.

The demonstration saw protesters reading out the names of those still being held by Hamas in Gaza while calling for a deal to secure their release.

Among those speaking was Gil Dickman, the cousin of deceased hostage Carmel Gat, who urges action from Trump.

“It’s been a year and a half, a year and a half. There is only one word which can be shouted, ‘enough.’ Enough for this nightmare, enough for the abandoning, bring all of them back home,” Dickman said.

Now the moment of truth has come, your moment of truth,” Varda Ben Baruch, the grandmother of Israeli-US hostage Edan Alexander, said.

“You are in the United States, and you have to sit there with President Trump and close a deal so that everyone will be released home. We are looking forward to this.”

Last month, Israel broke the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, launching a surprise bombardment in the Gaza Strip after efforts to pressure the militants into accepting new ceasefire terms. The White House has backed Israel’s stance.

Israel has vowed to escalate the conflict in Gaza until Hamas returns all remaining hostages, disarms and leaves the Strip.