Tel aviv: Thousands of Israelis gathered in central Tel Aviv on Saturday, urging the government to negotiate a prisoner exchange agreement with Palestinians. Protesters carried banners reading "No victory without return of hostages" and "There are 50 kidnapped families in Gaza," highlighting their demand for action, as reported by Israeli Channel 13.

According to Anadolu Agency, the demonstration follows reports of a stalemate in indirect negotiations between Israeli and Hamas representatives in Qatar. Despite the deadlock, the Israeli delegation continues discussions in Doha, with unnamed political officials noting Hamas's inflexibility.

A forum representing the families of Israeli captives in Gaza is pressing the government to cease its ongoing military operations in the Palestinian enclave. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement warning that missing the current momentum would be a critical failure, emphasizing that each day of continued conflict benefits Hamas and endangers hostages and soldiers.

The forum's statement further highlighted that public opinion supports ending the war and securing the return of hostages, with a decisive majority among coalition voters backing this stance. They addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing hostages and soldiers over political maneuvers.

On the other side, Hamas announced its willingness to release 10 live Israeli captives as a gesture towards a potential ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement. However, Israel maintains firm positions on key issues, including the establishment of buffer zones in border areas, which complicates negotiations.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has continued its military offensive on Gaza since late October 2023, resulting in the death of nearly 58,000 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children. The conflict has devastated Gaza, leading to severe food shortages and disease outbreaks.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its actions in the enclave.