Daniel Lifshitz, whose grandparents were captured by Hamas, joins thousands of Israelis urging their government to negotiate for the release of hostages in Gaza. The call for talks comes amid widespread criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu's plan to take control of Gaza City, which many see as dangerous and counterproductive.
Urgency in Gaza: Israeli Protesters Demand Hostage Negotiations
Urgency in Gaza: Israeli Protesters Demand Hostage Negotiations
Daniel Lifshitz is willing to trade places with hostages in Gaza. However, he cannot. Instead, he joins tens of thousands of Israelis demanding that Israel negotiate an agreement.
"It's urgent now," he tells TT.
Daniel Lifshitz's grandparents, two peace activists who used to transport Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to hospitals in Israel, were captured by the terrorist-designated Hamas during the attack on October 7, 2023.
His grandmother was released after 16 days for "humanitarian reasons." Over a year later, his grandfather returned home in a coffin.
Daniel Lifshitz hails from the kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the hardest-hit areas in the October 7 attack, and still has two close friends held hostage.
"We recently saw images of Evyatar David, completely malnourished. I don't know him, but if I could, I would undoubtedly trade places with both him and my friends. Anyone who has seen these images understands that it's urgent now."
Stirring Anger
This is why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take control of Gaza City has stirred anger among Israelis—not least among the hostages' relatives, who in a joint statement declared the decision "dangerous" and expressed they have had enough of "meaningless fighting."
"What we can do here in Israel is push our government to return to the negotiating table, and what Arab countries can do is push Hamas. We must work together to end this, both for the hostages and the people of Gaza."
A clear majority of Israel's population agrees that negotiations are preferable. According to a poll conducted by Israeli Channel 14 in July, 82 percent supported an agreement that would see the hostages released and the war in Gaza ended.
"I understand that negotiations are difficult between two parties that do not trust each other. We have Hamas, a terrorist organization, and there are also extremists in Israel's government, but there is no alternative," says Daniel Lifshitz.
International Criticism
The decision to take over Gaza City has also faced harsh international criticism. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stated that it risks "worsening the already catastrophic humanitarian situation for millions of Palestinians" and endangering even more lives.
When asked what Daniel Lifshitz himself sees as the best solution, he replies:
"A ceasefire must happen, hostages must be released, and humanitarian aid must be brought into Gaza in massive amounts."