Protesters chanted slogans and displayed signs demanding action from both Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

The families urged the US to leverage its influence on Israel to prioritize captive negotiations, emphasizing the emotional distress and urgency surrounding the situation.

"This is our sole concern and demand," one family member stated to Al Jazeera, pointing out the distractions within the Israeli political establishment where discussions diverge from the issue of captives.

The protest took place amid heightened tensions in the region, coinciding with Blinken's 13th visit to Israel since the onset of the Gaza war in October of last year.

Hamas condemned the ongoing Israeli atrocities on the Gaza Strip in a statement on Tuesday, calling for action from “all the free peoples of the world” to pressure Israeli an end to its war.

Since 7 October 2023, Israel brutal military campaign on the Gaza Strip has killed 42,603 Palestinians and injured 99,759. The majority of the victims were women and children.

In its statement, Hamas underlined the Israeli siege on schools and hospitals, the perpetration of massacres against innocent Gazaan civilians and displaced individuals, and the execution of forced displacement operations.

The Israeli actions have been carried out “in plain view of the entire world,” read the statement.

“The daily massacres, comprehensive destruction, forced displacement, ethnic cleansing, and brutal targeting of schools, shelters, and hospitals, including the displaced, sick, and wounded, witnessed in Jabalia, its camp, Beit Lahia project, and northern Gaza is a flagrant violation of all laws, regulations, and norms,” the statement added.

Media reports suggest that Blinken has presented a roadmap to Israeli officials for ending the conflict, but discussions seem to prioritize topics other than a ceasefire.