Hostages Held by Hamas in Gaza Appear in Video, Relatives Urge Ceasefire Following Over Two Years of Imprisonment

In the heart of Israeli territory, a wave of protests and demonstrations is sweeping across cities, calling for an immediate end to the ongoing war. The demonstrators are demanding diplomatic efforts to be resumed and demanding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military, under the guidance of Defense Minister Israel Katz, has announced that its operations in Gaza City will continue. This decision comes amidst reports of a grim situation in Gaza, with over 360 deaths attributed to hunger during the military operation.

The families of the hostages, who are being held by Hamas in Gaza City, have expressed deep concern about the military operation, stating that it puts their loved ones in immediate and direct danger. They have demanded immediate negotiations based on Ambassador Witkoff's proposal, hoping it will pressure all parties to reach a global agreement that allows all hostages to return.

The families have also called on the Israeli government to resume diplomatic efforts, noting that there is already an agreement on the table. However, the Israeli military has yet to respond directly to Hamas' acceptance of a ceasefire proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar, based on the US proposal from mid-August.

In a chilling development, a large 'SOS' sign has been marked on the ground in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, serving as a poignant reminder of the ongoing crisis. The Israeli military claims it has secured 40% of Gaza City, but warns that the military operation "will continue" until Hamas' terrorists accept Israel's conditions for ending the war, which include the release of all hostages and disarmament.

A video released by Hamas features Guy Gilboa-Dalal, a hostage, speaking in Hebrew, calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the offensive in Gaza City. Alon Ohel, another hostage, appears in the video for the first time, embracing Gilboa-Dalal but not speaking to the camera.

The video also shows the first hostage riding in a vehicle through the ruins of Gaza City. Arbel Yehoud, a released hostage, emphasized that "every minute is an eternity" and "every second puts the hostages' lives in danger". Silvia Cunio, the mother of two hostages, has criticized the "pathetic policy" that continues to cause her family suffering.

The planned demonstrations at Netanyahu's residence are organized by the group May Day Strong, which calls for the protests to address issues such as economic injustice and political grievances. More rallies are planned throughout the day, some of them outside Netanyahu's residence.

As the crisis continues, the total number of hostages in Hamas' hands remains at 48, with the Israeli military estimating that around 20 are still alive. The Hostage Families Forum has stated that the video will not be released until the family gives explicit approval. The fate of the hostages hangs in the balance, as the world watches and hopes for a peaceful resolution to this complex and heart-wrenching situation.