Israeli hostages mark 600 days in Gaza captivity as families accuse Netanyahu of abandonment, demanding their loved ones’ release before more lives are lost.

At a Glance

• 58 Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity after 600 days, with families staging nationwide protests
• Relatives accuse Prime Minister Netanyahu of prioritizing his political coalition over hostages’ lives
• Protests included traffic blockades, calls for Netanyahu’s resignation, and demands for new elections
• Freed hostage Arbel Yehoud praised former President Trump for facilitating her release while urging increased efforts to free remaining captives
• The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack resulted in 1,200 Israelis killed and 251 hostages taken

Families Mark Grim Milestone With Nationwide Protests

Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas marked a devastating milestone this week as their loved ones entered their 600th day of captivity in Gaza. Thousands of Israelis participated in demonstrations across the country, blocking traffic and creating symbolic displays of solidarity including yellow bows – now recognized worldwide as a symbol for the hostages.

The protests reflect mounting frustration with what many see as the government’s insufficient efforts to secure the release of the remaining 58 captives taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis.

The protests’ intensity increased as families directly called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation, accusing him of sacrificing hostages’ lives to maintain his political coalition. Many protesters formed human chains, while others spelled out messages in the sand visible from above. The October Council, representing families of those killed or captured, demanded earlier elections and a state commission of inquiry into the government’s handling of both the initial attack and subsequent hostage negotiations.

Tortured. Starved. Enduring unthinkable horrors.

For 600 days – 58 hostages remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

We will not rest until every last hostage is home. pic.twitter.com/Ds2yl6Mb7V

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 28, 2025

Growing Political Crisis Over Hostage Negotiations

The hostage situation has evolved into a major political crisis for Netanyahu’s government. Protesters specifically targeted Ron Dermer, head of Israel’s hostage negotiating team, for failing to secure any hostage releases in recent months. A bill was formally submitted to dissolve the current Knesset, with supporters claiming the government has neglected its fundamental responsibility to protect its citizens. The families’ frustration stems from multiple failed negotiation attempts and what they perceive as the prioritization of political considerations over the lives of those in captivity.

“600 days we are without our loved ones, 600 days that Hamas is holding them captive, and the bloody Israeli government is abandoning them to maintain the integrity of their coalition,” said Keith Siegel, a relative of hostages still in captivity.

Leah Goldin, whose son was killed in a previous conflict with Hamas, emphasized the national importance of the hostage situation, suggesting it threatens the social contract between Israel and its citizens. Some relatives warned that more Israelis may refuse military service or even abandon their citizenship if the government continues to leave soldiers and civilians in captivity. These concerns highlight how the extended hostage crisis threatens Israel’s social cohesion and military readiness.

It's 600 days since Hamas's genocidal massacre on 7th October and 58 hostages still remain in captivity.

To those who want Israel to end the war, I have one question – how do you propose we prevent 7/10 from happening again and again with Hamas still controlling Gaza?

Me on… pic.twitter.com/KWDWk290pJ

— Tzipi Hotovely (@TzipiHotovely) May 28, 2025

Freed Hostages Share Testimonies

The testimonies of freed hostages have added urgency to the families’ calls for action. Arbel Yehoud, who was released during earlier negotiations, publicly praised former President Trump for his role in facilitating her freedom while simultaneously criticizing the current Israeli government for not doing more to secure the release of those who remain captive. Her statement drew attention to the international dimensions of the hostage crisis and the potential role of foreign leaders in negotiations.

“The Israeli government stands before a single choice: saving lives or abandoning them,” said Arbel Yehoud, a former hostage who was released in earlier negotiations.

Recently freed hostage Omer Shem Tov has begun sharing details about the 505 days he spent in captivity, offering rare glimpses into the conditions faced by those still held by Hamas. His accounts of physical hardship, psychological pressure, and uncertainty have intensified public concern for the remaining hostages. With each passing day in captivity, families fear for both the physical and mental wellbeing of their loved ones, many of whom were already suffering from medical conditions before their capture.