On Monday, January 22, family members of Israelis kidnapped by Hamas met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the government office in Jerusalem. During the meeting, the prime minister addressed recent publications suggesting an imminent deal with Hamas to free the hostages. He emphasized that, currently, there is no concrete proposal from Hamas.
Simultaneously, Netanyahu stated that there is an Israeli initiative to secure the release of the abducted individuals, but he refrained from providing specific details.
"I say this as clearly as possible because there are many inaccuracies that may be causing concern and distress among you," the prime minister expressed.
The meeting occurred amid ongoing protests by relatives of the hostages. The day prior, families of the kidnapped Israelis established protest tents near Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem.
On Monday, representatives of the hostage families disrupted a meeting of the Knesset Finance Committee. The committee session, where representatives from the Bank of Israel were scheduled to present a review of the 2024 budget, and demand the deputies present to do everything possible to secure the release of the hostages.
"Is this your agenda? Everything proceeds as usual, as if nothing is happening?" shouted the relatives of the abducted.
"You are discussing Leaven while the hostages remain in captivity? You will not sit here while they are dying over there!"
