The failure to free living hostages in Gaza, and the accidental killing of 3 last week by the IDF in Gaza, has revealed deepening partisan divides in Israeli society, prompting ever more shrill protests. Some relatives of the hostages have taken a drastic step by setting up an encampment opposite the Kirya army base.

Meirav Leshem Gonen, whose daughter Romi is among the hostages, made a statement of determination, saying, “We’re sleeping here tonight and every night going forward until we are no longer ignored”.

This encampment has been described as a “last resort” by Jimmy Miller, related to hostage Shiri Bibas, signaling a shift from diplomatic efforts to more forceful advocacy. The Forum demands a framework for a deal with Hamas for the release of Israelis, presumably in exchange for terrorists held by Israel. The accidental killing of three hostages by Israeli troops has only escalated the tension, with the Forum arguing that military action is not the solution.

However, not everyone agrees with this approach. A counter-protest, led by Rabbi Aviad Gadot, vocally opposed a deal with Hamas, emphasizing military resolution over negotiation. Rabbi Gadot dismissed the Forum’s demonstrators as partisan, stating, “We will not allow anyone, even [US President Joe] Biden or international pressures, to get in the way of the Israel Defense Forces vanquishing Israel’s enemies”.

The rivalry between the groups became evident as pro-deal protesters confronted the anti-deal demonstrators, leading to heated exchanges. Accusations flew across Begin Road, with one pro-deal protester yelling, “Bibi and Sinwar have been in bed together for 15 years, are you kidding me?!” This was countered by Eyal Lahiani, a counter-protester, who retorted, “Your hatred of Bibi has blinded you! How can we take you seriously after a statement like that?!”

At the weekly solidarity rally, anti-government sentiment was palpable. Chants of “shame” erupted in response to Udi Goren’s speech about his cousin, Tal Chaimi, who was believed to have been abducted and killed in captivity. Goren’s plea for a ceasefire to facilitate a deal was met with mixed reactions, reflecting the deepening schisms within the Israeli public.

In this atmosphere of heightened emotions and conflicting viewpoints, Ruby Chen, father of hostage Itay, expressed frustration over the inaccessibility of Israeli war cabinet ministers. His statement that meeting US President Joe Biden was “easier” than meeting the war cabinet underscored the growing impatience and despair among the hostages’ families.