Israeli protesters called on the government to do more to free hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip by demonstrating inside the Knesset in Jerusalem. Some protesters smeared paint on the partition between the gallery and the plenum, chanting ‘now!’ at lawmakers below. 130 people remain in captivity in Gaza since the Hamas attack on 7 October when 253 people were taken from southern Israel. This action comes amid a wave of protests opposing Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Thousands have descended on the Knesset in recent days calling for a general election and expressing outrage over security and mandatory military mobilisation for men. Qatar and Egypt have been trying to mediate a truce that could secure the release of hostages, but Hamas has demanded that any deal include a permanent ceasefire. Israel has rejected any truce that would leave Hamas in control of parts of Gaza.
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