The families of Israeli hostages have begun a five-day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to demand government action to secure the release of those being held by Hamas.

Hamas kidnapped around 240 people – aged between nine months and 85 – during the 7 October attack, the Israeli military has said.

Four people have since been released, including two elderly women taken to the Egyptian border on 24 October.

Israel believes the remaining hostages are being held in tunnels below the Gaza Strip.

The country’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is facing pressure from the families of some of the hostages, who believe the government has not done enough to see them freed.

Yair Mozes told Sky News’s international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn in Tel Aviv that he is marching for his parents.

“We don’t know if they are getting their medicines,” he said. “We are marching to tell the government the first goal is to work only on this.”

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Matan Eshet is marching to Jerusalem for his cousin and friend who were both taken hostage at the Nova music festival.

He said he wants to “make as much noise as he can” on the march.

“Thirty-nine days without any connection with our loved ones,” he said. “It drives you insane. I don’t think I’ve had more than two hours sleep since 7 October. It doesn’t let you go.”

Marchers told Sky News they fear the world cares more about the humanitarian situation Palestinians in Gaza are facing, than their loved ones being held hostage.

As well as hoping to place pressure on Mr Netanyahu and the Israeli government, they are calling for the UN and the Red Cross to do more to find their loved ones and ensure their welfare.

The march is expected to last until Saturday and to finish outside Mr Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem.

Another protester, Ilan Zecharya, is marching for his niece Eden who was taken at the music festival and whose boyfriend was killed.

“Is the world doing enough to release our families?”, he asked Sky News.

“I don’t hear the loud cry for our families from the world. I hear ‘Free Palestine’ from the world, so world wake up. Yes my government should do more but definitely, definitely for sure the world should do more”.

Read more on this story:
How does hospital protection during wartime apply in Gaza?
The British victims of the Israel-Hamas war

Mr Netanyahu has said he would only consider pausing the fighting if all of the hostages were freed.

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