Activists from the NGO Rio de Paz held a demonstration on Copacabana Beach on Tuesday, calling for the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza during the second anniversary of the Gaza war.

As part of the protest, 22 Israeli flags were planted in the sand, each accompanied by photos of all Israeli hostages, both those still alive and those confirmed dead.

Hamas has held onto hostages — it still has 48, around 20 of whom Israel believes are alive — and maintained influence in the dwindling areas of Gaza that haven’t been destroyed and largely depopulated.

"Terrorism cannot be elevated to the status of a legitimate struggle for a people's liberation. Terrorism is a crime against humanity," said Antonio Carlos Costa, Founder of the NGO Rio de Paz.

“We are here because the Israelis who were killed had the right to live,” he said.

Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200 mostly civilians in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war.

Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefire or other deals.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll in the war reached 67,139 on Sunday.

AP Video by Mario Loabo.