Hi,
It has been my first time in an hostage protest. I have not been to Saturday night protests since October 7th. Come to think about it, even earlier as I took a time out during the holidays.
It had been a different feeling to be in the protest again and there are some reasons for it. The first is of course the war that keep going in Gaza strip and the almost war we have in the north.
The second is that is a hostage protest – a call to rescue or sign a deal to free all the 120 hostages that still held in Hamas captivity. But as who does not sign the deal from the Israeli side is the government – the protest is also against the government.
And the last if not the last reason is the evening will end with violence. The violence is in the air and will come from the police. You can see it by how the police is arranged around the square. It seems the police commander wish to show the minister above him he treat the protest with violence, unlike the former commander (Amy Eshed) who wish to see all are back home safe.
the fact that trucks are closing the junction north of the Democracy square, much further from where it was before. At first I thought it was because the center of the protest moved a bit more north to bridge between Azrieli center and HaKirya base.
But then I came across the 2nd trucks barrier, that locate in the same place it was before. As is sets to contain people inside (and not to protect them as the police claims). The barriers does not allow to cross on the road but only in narrow crossing that mostly closed with construction barriers that belong to the near by site.
Going around the square to the other side, you could see the Makhtazit and police horseman set in place. Just near the square ready to get quickly as it can.
I can understand the hostages families. Ask anybody what they would have done if it was their son/ father/ mother/ sister/ brother in there and they would answer: set the country on fire until they come back…
Take Care
Gad
Trucks blocking the junction north of the Democracy square
The second trucks barrier, closer to the protest of Kaplan near IDF base HaKirya
The protest is under the bridge, north of the Democracy square
The protest on the bridge connecting HaKirya base and Azrieli center
Going from the other side, the Makhtazit (water cannon) is set ready to enter the protest
And the police horseman are ready as well
The road down to Ayalon highway is closed