One of the largest demonstrations since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023 took place on Sunday in Tel Aviv, where tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets to demand an immediate end to the conflict and the release of hostages.
About 500,000 people, according to organizers of the Forum of Families of Hostages and Disappeared, took part in the main protest in Hostage Square, demanding a fair and achievable deal to return all hostages home. Many citizens chanted: “Bring everyone home! Stop the war!”
Demonstrators expressed concern that time to rescue the hostages is running out.
The demonstrations included roadblocks, tire burning and clashes with police, with over 30 arrests reported. Meanwhile, political leaders reacted with heated debates: Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized the protest, saying that the citizens' actions "strengthen Hamas's position and delay the release of the hostages," while opposition leader Benny Gantz accused the government of "attacking the families of the hostages."
Israel's war in Gaza has caused at least 61,000 Palestinian casualties, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, the majority of them civilians, not including thousands more trapped under rubble or killed indirectly by the conflict.