https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67465660
Thousands of protesters walked from Tel Aviv all the way to Jerusalem calling on the government to focus on the release of hostages being held in Gaza, they held a public demonstration outside of the Prime Minister’s home. An estimated 240 people have been deemed hostages held by Hammas since the Oct 7th attack, yet only four hostages have been freed as of now. The Israeli military has made a statement explaining they had found the bodies of two hostages in the Gaza strip, there has been no moves for a hostage release deal although the public wants answers and to be reconnected with their families. President Joe Biden has been adamant about the reinstatement of a two-state solution, and mentions it is the only way to ensure security for both peoples. Although Mr. Netanyahu does not agree with the two-state solution and wants to maintain the military control they now have on the Gaza strip.
The unfortunate truth is that these governments are now in a stalemate, no one side holds all of the power but someone needs to make a move. Protesting and calls for action are very important in the western world, but in a situation like this, the Israeli government does not seem like the type to respect their people and keep them informed about the war and its upcoming consequences. The Prime Minister has been criticized for not doing enough about the hostage situation and not taking action about the continued violence in the Gaza strip, the people also do not like his current relationship with the Israeli military and believe he cannot command his own militia. The President’s call for a two-state solution could be helpful under different circumstances, if Mr. Netanyahu was more willing and able to accept these terms, and if the two states and governments were not in a violent and gruesome war we may have more room for diplomacy.
At the moment the state leaders in the surrounding region (i.e. Gaza, Israel) have become Global Actors at the time being, they have some of the biggest influence in the world and the outcome as well as actions of this war have become under close watch by the international community and other global actors. These important matters are going unaddressed, the violence and killing of thousands of innocent lives in the Gaza strip, the hostage situation and radio silence from the government to those victims families who just want to be reunited, and I could go on. Another actor in this picture is Hammas itself, the terrorist group who continues to torment the Gaza strip and who has taken hostages captive and are responsible for the murders of many, including women and children.