Families of Israeli captives sailed in a protest flotilla from Ashkelon toward the Gaza maritime border on Thursday. This symbolic “Flotilla 50,” in reference to the over 50 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas following the October 2023 attacks. The families released 50 yellow lifebuoys into the sea. Each representing a captive, and cried out messages of love and strength in the hopes of reaching their loved ones.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum organized the protest to encourage Israel’s government to prioritize the safe return of the Israeli captives. This is to prevent any military escalation that might threaten the captives. The families strongly opposed Israeli plans for a full military occupation of Gaza. They warn it could lead to the hostages’ deaths or them being forgotten in tunnels as captors flee.
Family members urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Strategic Affairs Minister, and the Israel Defense Forces leaders to demonstrate brave leadership focused on humanitarian concerns rather than territorial control. They depicted the captives as human beings in desperate need of rescue, rather than bargaining chips. Some families used megaphones on boats to relay words of hope directly to their detained relatives.
The demonstration took place ahead of a security cabinet meeting set to debate a large-scale Israeli offensive to fully control Gaza, which families believe could endanger the lives of hostages. They urged Israelis to demonstrate and raise awareness, fearing that fresh military measures would jeopardize possibilities for the hostages’ safe return.
