Thousands protested across Israel, urging the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza for 436 days. Amid indications of a potential ceasefire, actors and citizens alike called for action. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted a possible shift in Hamas’s stance, echoing calls for hostages’ release and a ceasefire agreement. Ongoing negotiations are complicated by the dynamics of previous exchanges and the recent escalation, highlighting the urgent humanitarian concerns in the region.