Tzvi Joffre is a journalist and sometimes sofer based in central Israel. He worked for a number of years as a breaking news editor at The Jerusalem Post and is studying political science and Middle Eastern studies at Bar-Ilan University.
The father of Israeli-American Itay Chen, whose body was returned last week, demanded that politicians and commanders “give answers to the entire people of Israel, and bear their responsibility, within the framework of a state commission of inquiry.”
The IDF investigator insisted that she approved the leak to try and defend her office against rising pressure and threats. Critics accused her of intentionally trying to harm soldiers and the reputation of the state.
The protest sparked debates within Haredi communities, with some leaders worrying that it was wrong to hold the rally just as the government was finalizing a new proposal on the issue.
Clashes, a delay in the return of the bodies of hostages, and a lack of clarity concerning the peace plan’s next steps have put the future of the ceasefire at risk.
Twenty living Israeli hostages were released by Hamas and returned to Israel on Monday as part of the hostage and ceasefire deal reached last week after 737 days in captivity in Gaza.
