Hundreds demonstrated tonight (Friday) in front of the Kiryat base in Tel Aviv demanding an immediate agreement with Hamas to release the hostages held by the movement in the Gaza Strip. The protesters closed the Derech Begin road and continued until the Azrieli junction.

The demonstration was organized this evening following the Israeli army's announcement of the killing of three hostages by soldiers' gunfire in Shujaiya after they were mistakenly identified as a threat. According to the protesters, the incident reflects the danger faced by the hostages due to the Israeli army's attacks and the ongoing fighting.

Eli Elbag, according to the Hebrew newspaper "Haaretz," whose daughter was shot dead in the Gaza Strip, said the goal of the demonstration is to renew negotiations to promote the deal. "I want to know that everything has been done, and I fear for the fate of my daughter and the fate of all the other hostages. We are constantly aware of more and more deaths and murders, and on the other hand, they do not protect the hostages either."

Uri, whose cousin Itay Saberski was kidnapped to the Strip, said that the protesters' demand is to reach an agreement to stop the fighting. "The State of Israel and its leadership are acting as if they have surrendered."

He continued, "They are trying to sell us as if the fighting helps the hostages; the fighting kills the hostages. We demand that the Israeli government be ready to pay the price and put the hostages at the top of priorities."

The Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari announced this evening that the three hostages – Yotam Haim and Alon Shamriz from Kafr Gaza and Samer Talalqa from Al-Houra – were killed after they managed to escape captivity in the Shujaiya neighborhood area where fierce battles are taking place. Clashes occurred between the Israeli army and Hamas fighters in recent days.

Hagari added: "Estimates indicate that the three escaped or were left by those who held them, and this is a tragic mistake that will be fully investigated."