Hostages killed in Gaza and five participants of the Supernova festival trigger protests in Israel

The identities of the five Israelis who attended the festival in the southern Negev city have been revealed, underscoring the diversity of the victims. The group included a young couple, a medical student and two friends who had travelled to the festival together. Their deaths sent shockwaves through the music scene and beyond.

News of the killings comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Hamas, as the ongoing conflict in Gaza casts a dark shadow over the country. The hostage-taking, along with recent rocket attacks on Israeli cities, has created a climate of fear and uncertainty.

Protests broke out in Israel's major cities. Demonstrators demanded stricter measures to protect Israeli citizens and ensure the safe return of hostages. Critics accused the government of not acting decisively in the face of the escalating crisis and called for a more forceful response to Hamas.

The Israeli government has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and issued a stern warning to Hamas, saying the group will face severe consequences for its actions. But the grief and anger fueled by the tragic deaths of the Supernova festival-goers are unlikely to subside any time soon, raising questions about Israel's way forward amid this complex conflict.