Families of Gaza Hostages Protest in Tel Aviv

Families of hostages held in Gaza marched in Tel Aviv, calling for an immediate deal to bring the hostages home as the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the U.S.

Protesters chanted and marched, urging Netanyahu to announce a hostage deal during his address tomorrow to the U.S. Congress.

"Tomorrow, my Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is going to have his speech in front of the Congress, and I'm really hopeful that tomorrow he's going to make us all feel whole again and tell us that deal is taking place," said Shai Dickmann, the cousin of 39-year-old Israeli hostage Carmel Gat who was taken into Gaza on Oct. 7.

This protest is one among others planned while Netanyahu is in Washington this week, where he is expected to meet U.S. President Joe Biden after making an address to Congress.

The Israeli offensive in Gaza started after Hamas-led fighters stormed into southern Israel, on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 captives, according to Israeli tallies. Hamas and other militants are still holding 120 hostages; Israel believes around a third of them are dead.

Hostage families are frustrated with the Israeli government, claiming it is too focused on a military offensive, which they say is putting the lives of their loved ones at risk and delaying efforts to secure a release deal with Hamas.

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in the US to meet with President Joe Biden and address congress, the Chens have returned to demand answers from their leader.

As the conflict in Gaza drags on, Palestinian health authorities estimate the Israeli campaign in Gaza has killed 38,000 people, mostly civilians, and driven its 2.3 million residents from their homes.