No humanitarial aid will be allowed until the hostages are treated humanely.

Israelis from left and right have united to physically block the entry of truck convoys containing aid for Gazans but which in fact has fallen directly into Hamas control while Israeli hostages don’t get food, medicine or visits from anyone.

For the second days in a row, no trucks were allowed in, and the dozens of protesters in the first day have swelled to hundreds, with even more expected on the weekend.

The protesters include relatives of hostages held in Gaza and parents of soldiers who have fallen in battle. Unlike the leftist Israelis politicizing the issue and raising the price of hostagews, the Kerem Shalom blockaders have taken a firm and unifying stance that improves Israel’s bargaining position and increases pressure on Hamas.

Their demand is uncompromising: halt humanitarian aid to Gaza until their loved ones are freed from captivity. This group’s resilience was evident as they bypassed roadblocks, walking kilometers to make their voices heard for the second consecutive day.

Tsufit Libman, directly affected by this crisis, articulates the sentiment of many, labeling the ongoing aid delivery a “moral failure.” Her powerful words, “While we don’t know where our families are and if they are alive, they [Gazans] are getting humanitarian aid,” capture the heart of the protest. This statement, accusing Gazans of abetting Hamas and hiding crimes, reflects deep frustration and a sense of betrayal.

Dani Elgarat, another voice in this chorus of despair, appeals to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bravery. His message is clear: resist international pressure, notably from the U.S., and prioritize the return of captives. Elgarat’s call to action, urging others to physically impede aid, resonates with a community united in anguish and determination.

The situation at the border is more than a blockade; it’s a reflection of a community’s outcry against perceived injustice. Protesters like Elgarat highlight the grim reality that the captives are likely not benefiting from the humanitarian aid entering Gaza. His words, “There are no visits by the Red Cross, no food, medications, signs of life, nothing humanitarian is happening to our captives,” underline the dire situation of the hostages.

The Biden Administration is really exercised about this, insisting that Israel allow the aid to enter. But a government that can’t even keep the Ayalon freeway in Tel Aviv open may find it hard to cope with the groundswell of opposition to the “humanitarian hypcrisy” where only Gazans are entitled to humane treatment.

The Israeli government, however, has failed to stop the growing protests and may not be in such a big hurry to do so. The government would like nations demanding that Israeli fulfill “humanitarian” demands to do something, even the bare minimum, for the civilians and soldiers in Hamas captivity.