Anti-government protests broke out in Israel for not taking steps to release the hostages

On Saturday, the Israeli army reported that it had found the bodies of six people held hostage by Hamas. According to the Israeli army (IDF), the bodies were found in an underground tunnel in the Rafah city of Gaza on Saturday.

Hamas took them hostage after the October 7 attack. The IDF said that shortly before their arrival, Hamas killed an Israeli citizen. Hamas claimed that they were killed in the Israeli attack.

A large number of people have taken to the streets in Israel's cities including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for not being able to protect their own citizens. The Times of Israel has reported that a nationwide strike has been called today in opposition to the government.

Protesters have accused the Netanyahu-led government of not being ready to negotiate with Hamas for the safety of Israeli citizens held hostage by Hamas. Demonstrators accuse Prime Minister Netanyahu of trying to protect his position with Hamas rather than a cease-fire.

Hamas took 251 hostages after the attack on October 7. 97 of them are still under the control of Hamas. It is estimated that at least 27 of them have died.

Nepali student Bipin Joshi is also on the list of people held hostage by Hamas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been saying that efforts are being made through all possible diplomatic channels for Joshi's release. However, his condition is still unknown.

In the attack of October 7, about 1200 people lost their lives in Israel. 40,530 people have been killed in Gaza in response to the attack launched by Israel.