Families of Israeli Hostages Held in Gaza Start Hunger Strike

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
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Families of Israeli Hostages Held in Gaza Start Hunger Strike

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)

Family members of Israelis held in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip began a hunger strike, accusing the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of completely abandoning their cause by waging a brutal war in Lebanon.
They said Israel’s decision to expand the war to the north with Lebanon and possibly to a regional war with Iran, is “a death sentence for their sons and daughters” who were taken captive by Hamas a year ago in Operation Al-Aqsa.
The hunger strike came after the Israeli Army’s Home Front Command ordered a ban on gathering for fear of Hezbollah, Houthis and other parties firing rockets at the protesters.
Despite this decision, some family members of Israeli hostages chose to continue their protest. But there were only a few hundred who participated.
Meanwhile, 18 Israelis continued a hunger strike, demanding a deal that would bring the hostages home.
Danny, the brother of Itzik Algert, one of the hostages in Hamas captivity said he understands that the hunger strike is a desperate move, but added that he cannot remain silent while his brother faces the danger of death in captivity.
“We have a government that does not shy away from committing a crime against its children,” he said. “Demonstrations are now limited and forbidden while the public is indifferent. They will not move until they watch us die, and even then, I'm not sure they will. But, we can't celebrate the holiday while our children suffer,” Danny added.
There are 101 hostages held by Hamas since October 2023, about 31 of whom Israeli officials estimate have died. Their families urge the country's leadership to secure a ceasefire deal that would free the captives before they see more deaths.
The hunger strike was started by activist Orna Shimoni, who is 83 years old. Shimoni became prominent during the first Lebanon war in 1982 when she established a movement called the Four Mothers.
Protesters who joined Shimoni include David Agmon, a retired Brigadier General in the Israeli army, and Rabbi Avidan Freedman.
Those striking are staying outside the Knesset west of Jerusalem.
Michal Deutsch, who is taking part in the protest, accused right-wing activists of attacking and insulting everyone at the hunger strike. She said those activists were sent by the government to harass the strikers.



EU, UN Agree on Importance of Libya Ceasefire

EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando meets head of UNSMIL with Hanna Tetteh. Photo released by Orlando on X
EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando meets head of UNSMIL with Hanna Tetteh. Photo released by Orlando on X
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EU, UN Agree on Importance of Libya Ceasefire

EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando meets head of UNSMIL with Hanna Tetteh. Photo released by Orlando on X
EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando meets head of UNSMIL with Hanna Tetteh. Photo released by Orlando on X

The United Nations rights office called on Wednesday for an independent investigation into the discovery of mass graves at detention centers in Libya's capital Tripoli as the European Union Ambassador to Libya said he agreed with the UN that “no effort should be spared to preserve the ceasefire and prevent a return to violence.”

EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando said he discussed with Hanna Tetteh, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), “views on our respective outreach to Libyan and international partners.”

He said they discussed “the next steps” in the political process facilitated by UNSMIL, “including how the EU can best support her efforts at this delicate juncture for Libya.”

He “reiterated the EU’s strong backing for her facilitation and commended the renewed sense of urgency she has brought through her consultations.”

Orlando said he “stressed the need for all key actors to engage constructively with UNSMIL and avoid uncoordinated initiatives.”

Meanwhile, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR ) said it was "shocked" by gross human rights violations uncovered at official and unofficial detention facilities in Libya.

OHCHR said the discovery of dozens of bodies and suspected instruments of torture and abuse confirmed longstanding findings by the UN that human rights violations were committed at such sites.

"We call on the Libyan authorities to conduct independent, impartial and transparent investigations into these discoveries," OHCHR said in a statement. It urged the authorities to preserve evidence and grant Libya's forensic teams, as well as the United Nations, full access to the sites.