Haim Yelin, former head of Eshkol Regional Council, said at a protest in Tel Aviv demanding the release of hostages that "since October 7, we have lost too much. The most painful thing is that 50 friends still haven't returned from hell. What is 'absolute victory' worth without bringing everyone home?" Yelin also called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "to establish a state commission of inquiry and ask for the people's trust."