Protesters block major roads in Israel

Protesters closed major streets in Israel on Friday to demand a prisoner exchange deal. Dozens of protesters demanding the release of prisoners blocked traffic on the northbound Namir Road in Tel Aviv and set fire to the area. Earlier, protesters stamped the yellow "kidnapper symbol" on some Israeli roads including Highway 2 and Highway 4, demanding a deal to return the captives. In addition, a number of protesters also blocked Road No. 2 to traffic earlier. A statement on behalf of the protesting families said: "The State of Israel" will not be able to return to normal until the "kidnapped" return. They added: "343 days since the kidnapped were killed in captivity because of Netanyahu, and because of the government of cowards. 101 citizens are dying in Hamas captivity, because Benjamin Netanyahu chooses the survival of the government over the kidnapped." According to Israeli estimates, Hamas still holds about 100 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, while the movement has not officially announced their number. H amas links the release of these prisoners to the cessation of the war and the occupation's withdrawal from the Strip, in addition to a prisoner exchange deal that includes the release of Palestinian prisoners in occupation prisons. Source: Maan News Agency