Nationwide Demonstrations Demand Return of Abductees and Accountability for October 7 Failures

Large demonstrations took place across Israel on Saturday evening, calling for the return of the remaining abductees’ bodies from Gaza and demanding government accountability for the failures of October 7. Rallies were held in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Be’er Sheva, Jerusalem and numerous junctions nationwide.

“No Day After Gaza Without Bringing Them Home”

At the main rally in Kidnappers’ Square in Tel Aviv, Itzik Guili, father of Ran Guili, whose body remains in Gaza, addressed the crowd.

“The time has come to return Suttisak and Rani and close the circle,” he said, referring also to Thai citizen Suttisak Rintalak, whose body is still being held by Hamas.

Guili urged international mediators to intensify efforts:

“I am saying this clearly: There is no ‘next stage’ and no ‘day after in Gaza’ before Ran returns home.”

“Israeli society restored Hadar”

Ayelet Goldin, sister of fallen soldier Hadar Goldin, whose body was returned earlier this month, thanked the public for their solidarity:

“I am here because you brought Hadar back. Israeli society restored him. We will no longer be a society that abandons its sons.”

Calls for a State Inquiry Into October 7 Failures

At the same rally, Eyal Eshel, whose daughter Roni Eshel was killed at the Nahal Oz outpost on October 7, sharply criticized the government.

“A government responsible for the October 7 failure is not ashamed to establish its own ‘commission’. This is not an investigation — it is evasion,” he said.

Eshel welcomed the Chief of Staff’s decision to dismiss senior officers but insisted it was insufficient:

“Those who failed in the greatest failure in the state’s history cannot continue as if it were a routine operational mistake. The public expects true soul-searching, not cosmetic moves.”

Eshel is a member of the “October Council,” representing bereaved families and demanding an official state inquiry. Unlike previous weeks, the group did not hold a separate rally but delivered speeches at events across the country.

Earlier in the evening, around 1,000 demonstrators gathered near the home of Attorney General Gali Bahar-Miara in Tel Aviv’s Kikar Hamedina, expressing support for her work amid political pressure.

A temporary stage was set up with the banner “The rule of law will prevail.” Protesters waved Israeli flags and chanted “Gali, we are with you” and “Democracy.”

About twenty right-wing activists held a counter-protest nearby with signs such as “Investigate Gali.” Police maintained separation between the two groups.

MK Naama Lazimi (Democrats) addressed the supporters:

“We don’t want to replace power with power — we want to replace power with democracy.”

Among the attendees was Michel Illouz, father of Guy Illouz, whose body was abducted on October 7 and returned last month.

Haifa: “We Still Don’t Know the Truth”

In Haifa, demonstrations began with a march from the Auditorium Square on the Carmel to the Horev Center.

Reut Recht Edri, mother of Ido, killed at the Nova party and a leading member of the October Council, delivered an emotional speech:

“For more than two years I have been collecting the fragments of the truth along with the fragments of my heart. How is it possible that more than two years have passed and we still don’t know what really happened?”

Rallies and Roadside Protests Across the North

Additional demonstrations took place at:

• Karkur Junction

• Zichron Yaakov Junction

• Tzemach Junction

• HaGoma Junction

• Rosh Pina

• Karmiel Junction

• Kabri Junction

• Nahariya

• Kiryat Bialik

In Kiryat Gat’s Carmi Gat neighborhood, the Nir Oz community held a rally.

Yoav Zalmanovitz, whose father Aryeh was kidnapped and murdered in Gaza, spoke:

“The struggle to return the kidnapped is the most important struggle of our lives, but it is only part of the greater struggle for the soul of the Jewish people and for a worthy shared future in this land.”

Southern and Jerusalem Demonstrations

In Be’er Sheva, protesters gathered at the Performing Arts Center Plaza.
At Kashetot Junction in Sha’ar HaNegev, residents held a rally calling for the return of the fallen abductees.

In Jerusalem, demonstrators gathered at Paris Square, where activists protested against the continuation of the war.