Relatives of Gaza hostages storm Israeli parliament as Hamas war rages

Israel believed 130 hostages remain alive in Hamas captivity in Gaza

Family members of Gaza hostages storm Israeli parliament

Family members of Gaza hostages stormed Israeli parliament on Monday, demanding the return of their family members from Hamas. (Reuters)

Family members of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza stormed into an Israeli parliament panel to demand action on Monday.

Roughly 20 protesters burst into the Knesset Finance Committee meeting, with many holding pictures of their loved ones. Roughly 130 hostages are believed to remain in Hamas custody.

"Just one I'd like to get back alive, one out of three!" shouted a woman who had photos of three relatives being held hostage.

"You will not sit here while they die there," others shouted. "Release them now, now, now!"

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relatives of gaza hostages storm israeli parliament as hamas war rages

Family members of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza stormed into an Israeli parliament panel to demand action on Monday. (Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced growing demands from relatives of hostages to cut a deal with Hamas. One lawmaker inside the committee meeting on Monday argued that disrupting Netanyahu's government would not be helpful.

"Redeeming captives is the most important precept in Judaism, especially in this case, where there is an urgency to preserving life," he said. "Quitting the coalition would not achieve anything."

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Netanyahu himself responded to similar protests on Monday as well, denying that Israel had rejected a proposal from Hamas.

"There is no real proposal by Hamas. It's not true. I am saying this as clearly as I can because there are so many incorrect statements which are certainly agonising for you," Netanyahu's office quoted him as telling hostage relatives in a separate incident.

Netanyahu on Hannity

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah responded to protests from family members of Hamas hostages on Monday, denying that Israel had rejected a proposal from Hamas. (FOX News/Hannity)

Israel says it remains open to a second wave of hostage exchanges if Hamas agrees to the correct terms.

The new negotiations come amid boiling tensions in the wider region, as Iran and its proxy terrorist groups attack Israel, the U.S. and international shipping lanes.

The Islamic Republic of Iran launched drone and missile attacks into Iraq, Syria and Pakistan in less than 24 hours last week. The regime’s open warfare follows its military aid to Hamas ahead of the organization’s massacre of 1,200 people on Oct. 7 in southern Israel.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in Tehran

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Islamic Republic of Iran launched drone and missile attacks into Iraq, Syria and Pakistan in less than 24 hours last week. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA/Reuters )

The U.S. has sought to prevent Israel's war against Hamas from spreading into a wider conflict in the region. Nevertheless, Israel has threatened to expand the war to include Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist group operating Lebanon to Israel's north.

Fox News' Benjamin Weinthal and Reuters contributed to this report

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.

Authored by Anders Hagstrom via FoxNews January 22nd 2024