Tel Aviv protesters demand Israeli gov't to ramp up hostage rescue efforts

Hundreds of protesters in Israel's Tel Aviv rallied on Monday, demanding urgent government action to free remaining hostages in Gaza, hours after Hamas released Israeli-American citizen Edan Alexander -- a move that intensified criticism over perceived preferential treatment for dual nationals.

The demonstration in Hostage Square underscored deepening public anger as Israel marked 19 months since the Hamas-led attack with 251 people abducted and 1,200 killed. Israel has since launched attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 52,862 people as of Monday.

Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American hostage, was released on Monday after a deal was made between Hamas and the United States. While the release brought relief, many protesters accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of prioritizing hostages with foreign, especially U.S. passports.

Following the release of Alexander, the last living dual citizenship holder hostage, 58 hostages remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza, nearly all of whom are believed to hold only Israeli citizenship.

But what the Israeli government is doing is far from enough for the Israelis only with the passport of their home country, according to many protesters.

"I don't believe as an Israeli, that the government is doing enough to bring our hostages home," said Gary, a protester.

"What I feel is for sure that they're not doing enough at all. I think people are starting to realize that if you're not or you don't have dual citizenship, then you're like a secondary citizen. And perhaps the government won't do all that they can do to bring you home," said Nofar, another protester.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said an Israeli delegation will travel to Qatar's Doha on Tuesday for talks on a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. However, the talks will take place "only under fire."

Tel Aviv protesters demand Israeli gov't to ramp up hostage rescue efforts

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival