Clashes in the Knesset: hostage families protest against Netanyahu

Violent scuffles between family members of 7 October victims and security guards during a session in the Knesset. Netanyahu rejects demand for a national enquiry

Today, 3 March, the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, was the scene of clashes between family members of the hostages and security agents. Two people were injured, according to the Jerusalem Post. During the scuffles, one man, whose son was killed by Hamas on 7 October, lost consciousness, the Haaretz newspaper reported.

Knesset security guards denied access to the visitors’ gallery to dozens of relatives of the victims, sparking protests. The relatives, demanding the establishment of a national commission of enquiry into the events of 7 October, tried to force the blockade, but were forcibly repelled. Eventually, after moments of high tension, the relatives were allowed into the grandstand. Many of them turned their backs on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in protest.

The families‘ request and the institutions’ response

The group of ‘Members of the October Council’, representing more than 1,500 bereaved and hostage families, appealed to the Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, demanding his immediate intervention. Afterwards, they called for his resignation: ‘The violence against the October Council families is unacceptable. The Speaker of the Knesset should resign today. Our patience is running out,’ reads a note from the group.

Opposition leader, Yair Lapid, expressed his outrage on ‘X’, stating, ‘There is no limit to the horror and shame of the images of Knesset guards forcibly removing mourning families on 7 October. Amir Ohana is complicit in this shame. No one has ever degraded the institution of the Knesset Speaker more than him’.

Netanyahu and the hostage issue: truce at risk

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset, issuing a warning to Hamas: ‘They cannot even imagine the consequences’ if the Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip are not released. Netanyahu explained that truce agreements are stalled, with Israel suspending the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip in response to Hamas’ refusal to accept an extension without moving on to the next phase of negotiations.

Netanyahu rejected the call for the creation of a state commission of enquiry into the events of 7 October, saying it would be ‘a commission whose conclusions have already been predetermined and written on political grounds’. Instead, he proposed an independent, impartial and objective committee aimed at ensuring that ‘truth and justice’ prevail.

Hamas accusations and international tensions

On the other hand, Hamas accused Israel of obstructing the truce process and of wanting to sabotage the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan said that Israel and Netanyahu are working ‘for the failure of the agreement and are trying to relaunch aggression against our people’.

In the face of international criticism for the suspension of humanitarian aid, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer accused Hamas of hoarding resources for civilians. ‘Hamas has enough food to feed an epidemic of obesity,’ Mencer said, claiming that the organisation withholds supplies for its militants, leaving the population without resources.

Hamas, however, insists that the only way to resolve the hostage issue is to respect the agreements and immediately start negotiations for the second phase of the truce.

A fragile balance: the truce stalemate

Tensions between Israel and Hamas are growing, with the risk of a breakdown in the truce that could plunge the region back into a new cycle of violence. The situation remains extremely delicate, while the families of the hostages and victims of 7 October continue to demand justice and transparency on the events that have marked the country.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)