Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets, demanding an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to free captives held in the besieged enclave.
The protests, which were some of the fiercest since the uproar over six captives found dead in Gaza last September, saw Israeli police make dozens of arrests and use water cannons to disperse demonstrators.
The protests were sparked by the Israeli government’s decision to advance on Gaza City, nearly two years into a devastating war that has left much of the population on the brink of famine and led to Israel being increasingly internationally isolated.
Protesters fear that further fighting could endanger the 50 captives believed to remain in Gaza, with only about 20 of whom are thought to be alive.
At a demonstration in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square,” former captive Arbel Yehoud emphasized that “military pressure doesn’t bring hostages back – it only kills them.”
Yehoud stressed that the only way to bring the captives home is through a deal, all at once, without games.
The protesters’ demands were echoed by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which declared a nationwide strike, calling for an end to the war and the release of the captives.
“We will shut down the country today with one clear call: Bring back the 50 hostages, end the war,” the group said. Demonstrator Ofir Penso added, “this is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages.”
The protests were marked by emotional appeals, including from the aunt of Israeli-German hostage Alon Ohel, who pleaded for his rescue, describing his dire condition.
The Israeli government has condemned the protests, with senior figures lashing out at the demonstrations.
Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich denounced the protests as “a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas.”
President Isaac Herzog voiced support for the captives’ return but urged international pressure on Hamas rather than heeding calls to halt the war.
Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat, criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to the unrest, saying, “most prime ministers would have resigned after October 7th… He is not just another prime minister. He cares only about his survival. He is driven by some Messianic delusions of redrawing the Middle East.”
Pinkas added that Netanyahu was deflecting public anger by blaming “the elites” and a “deep-state cabal” rather than taking responsibility.
The conflict has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with nearly 62,000 Palestinians killed, the majority women and children, in the Israeli offensive.
The war has devastated the enclave, leaving much of its population on the brink of famine.
The protests come amid reports of Israel’s plans to forcibly displace Palestinians to southern Gaza and the Israeli military’s bombing of Gaza City as part of a takeover plan.