Families of Hostages Rally in Israel Amid Outcry Over Gaza Hospital Strike

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On August 26, 2025, families of hostages held by Hamas staged nationwide demonstrations across Israel, demanding the government secure a deal for the release of their relatives. The protests came a day after Israeli airstrikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, sparking widespread international condemnation.

Images showed major highways blocked by protesters from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, though police later confirmed all routes had reopened. One man was seen standing in the middle of the road with his hands bound in yellow tape, symbolizing solidarity with those still held captive.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the hospital strike as a “tragic mishap.” However, aid groups, global leaders, and press freedom organizations sharply criticized the attack, noting the growing toll on civilians and journalists.

According to Israeli authorities, around 1,200 people were killed and 251 abducted during Hamas’s assault on October 7, 2023. Today, 50 hostages remain in Gaza; 20 are believed to be alive, while 28 are presumed dead. Families are also urging Hamas to return the bodies of those killed. Two hostages’ fates remain uncertain.

Most of those held are Israeli citizens, though some carry dual nationalities. Foreign victims include Thai agricultural workers and a man from Nepal, who are thought to have died in captivity.

Meanwhile, Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza has killed more than 62,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Foreign news outlets, including the BBC, are barred from independently reporting inside the territory.

For the families of those still missing, the marches represent both grief and determination, as pressure builds on Israel’s government to secure a breakthrough in negotiations with Hamas.