Families of hostages protest outside Netanyahu's home

A year after the Hamas attacks, relatives of those held in Gaza continue their vigil, reports Bel Trew from Jerusalem ane

- Bel Trew

Relatives of hostages still held in Gaza marched to Benjamin Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem at dawn yesterday, blaring an air raid siren to mark the exact time of the Hamas attack a year ago that altered so many lives forever, while warning they “won’t let [Netanyahu] rest until all of them are back”.

In the hope of getting the Israeli prime minister’s attention, hundreds gathered outside his residence with a desperate plea for a ceasefire and hostage release deal. They sounded the haunting air raid siren for two minutes at 6.29am – the minute the act of terror by Hamas began, an attack which resulted in the killing of around 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251. An estimated 97 remain in Gaza, with the fate of most of them unknown.

In tearful speeches on the street outside, family members begged Mr Netanyahu to honour his promise of bringing their loved ones home. The Israeli leader has faced mounting criticism for the security lapses around the attack on 7 October and for not yet securing the release of the captives.

Gil Dickmann, the cousin of hostage Carmel Gat, directly addressed Mr Netanyahu, urging him to “be the prime minister that chooses life”.

Gat, 41, an occupational therapist seized from her home in Kibbutz Beeri, was believed to be next on the list to be freed in the latest proposed ceasefire deal, which faltered at the 11th hour. Gat was shot dead by her captors in a tunnel a little more than a month ago.

“I still cannot believe that we will not have her back. For us, it’s too late, but it’s not too late for the other 101 hostages,” Mr Dickmann told the crowds.

Mr Dickman continued: “Mr prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu], for a year you have said that you would do everything to bring them home – you failed in your duty.