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Thousands of women and men gathered in front of the Zeev Fortress in Tel Aviv on Friday to participate in a silent protest calling for the return of 101 Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The protest, organized by the "101 Watch" initiative—founded by the mothers of the abductees—marked the first time the demonstration was held in Tel Aviv, having previously taken place in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem.

The 101 hostages have been held captive by Hamas for over 420 days, and the protest highlighted the growing public demand for the Israeli government to take decisive action to bring them home.

A Mother's Plea for Action
Herut Nimrodi, the mother of abductee Tamir Nimrodi, addressed the crowd in front of a prominent Likud symbol in central Tel Aviv. “I am a mother, I am apolitical. My child is apolitical, he is a child,” she said. “And as a mother to a mother, I say to you—our children need to return home, all of them, without exception. There is no political statement here, there is only a humanitarian need to bring them home.”

Nimrodi's emotional appeal underscores the frustration and heartache felt by the families of those taken hostage during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Political and Public Support for the Cause
The protest was also joined by members of the opposition, including the women's headquarters of the Yesh Atid party. A statement issued by the group read, “After 420 days in Hamas captivity, and with the support of the majority of Israeli citizens, we, the women of Yesh Atid, mothers and daughters of the families of the kidnapped, demand that the Israeli government fulfill its sacred duty, put aside narrow political considerations, and immediately sign an agreement to bring them home.”

Lihi Lapid, the wife of opposition leader MK Yair Lapid, was among the attendees and spoke on behalf of the movement. “We came here to keep a deafening silence because this was the request of the mothers of the kidnapped,” she said. “There is nothing more important for Israeli society than bringing these men and women home. We are all here together, and the majority of the Israeli public believes that more can and should be done to return the kidnapped now.”

A Call for Immediate Government Action
The protest in Tel Aviv serves as a renewed call for the Israeli government to prioritize the release of the hostages and end their prolonged captivity. For over a year, the families of the kidnapped have pleaded for a resolution to the ongoing crisis, demanding that the Israeli government take more aggressive measures to secure the hostages' release.

The growing political and public pressure reflects widespread frustration over the perceived lack of progress in negotiations and the continued suffering of the families. As the days in captivity continue to mount, calls for a resolution have intensified, with many urging the government to act swiftly, without delay or political hesitation.

The "101 Watch" group has vowed to continue their protests, with more actions planned in the coming weeks, until the kidnapped Israelis are brought home.