Hostage Families Torch Cars in Jerusalem Streets
Demonstrators demanding the release of 48 Israeli hostages set fires across the capital, climbed onto the National Library rooftop, and rallied outside ministers’ homes — as police vow arrests and warn a red line has been crossed.
Twitter
Jerusalem awoke to chaos Wednesday morning as hostage families and their supporters launched one of the most dramatic protests since the war began.
At 6:29 a.m., activists gathered outside the home of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, the official tasked with securing hostage negotiations, chanting: “48 hostages, zero results.”
One by one, they read aloud the names of the captives still held in Hamas tunnels, holding a massive banner declaring: “48 Hostages - Dermer 0.”
But the anger did not stop there. Across the city, black smoke filled the air as tires, trash bins, and even vehicles were set ablaze in Rehavia and Givat Ram.
Emergency crews scrambled to contain the flames as residents were evacuated from nearby buildings.
Police confirmed at least one car was completely burned.
The protests escalated further outside the National Library of Israel, where activists scaled the rooftop, forcing firefighters to deploy cranes to extract them. “We will not stop until every hostage comes home,” one organizer shouted through a megaphone.
Tensions spiked as police chief Dani Levi warned: “Setting fires in public space is reckless, criminal, and endangers lives. We will bring suspects to justice.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir lashed out in response, branding the morning’s fires “a wave of terror arson.”
Throughout the day, marches and rallies spread: from the Knesset to Gaza Street, from the Supreme Court to the Prime Minister’s residence. By evening, families of the captives promised a “protest of fury” outside Benjamin Netanyahu’s home. Their demand was clear: approve a hostage deal now, even at the price of halting the war.
Police say this time they will not hesitate to make arrests, signaling a tougher stance after last week’s Tel Aviv protests that saw burning tires block the Ayalon Highway with no detentions.