Kidnapped soldiers’ moms call for protests to ‘shake the country’

Hostage family groups once opposed partial deals, but many now demand Israel accept a proposal to free just 10 hostages as a first step.

By World Israel News Staff

The mothers of Israeli soldiers kidnapped on October 7th are vowing to “intensify” their struggle to bring their sons home, announcing a national day of protest set for next Wednesday, September 3rd.

Vicky Cohen and Anat Angrest, whose sons Nimrod and Matan were abducted from their Gaza-adjacent bases nearly two years ago and have since remained in captivity, said they will lead a massive demonstration outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem next week.

Cohen urged Israelis “to deliver a clear message to the prime minister,” declaring: “We are taking to the streets together to ensure progress [towards a hostage deal] is made.”

“This is our moment of truth,” she continued. “We cannot reach the 700th day [after October 7th] without a deal [to free the captives]. Starting Wednesday, we will shake the country with one goal only: to end the war and bring all the kidnapped home.”

Angrest described the unbearable pain of waiting for her son’s return.

“I haven’t slept for almost two years since my son was kidnapped,” she said.

Directing her remarks at Netanyahu, she said, “You, the prime minister, and the cabinet ministers will also stop sleeping. It’s time for the citizens of Israel to go to Jerusalem.”

The announcement came as thousands of Israelis protested across the country on Tuesday, demanding an end to the Gaza war and a deal to secure the release of the approximately 20 living and 30 dead hostages still believed to be held in the Strip.

Hostage family groups have previously rejected partial agreements, insisting on all-or-nothing deals. But when Netanyahu recently said he would only pursue a comprehensive deal in the future, many families reversed course, now urging the government to accept a proposal that would free just 10 living captives.