Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in a large-scale protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of prolonging the war in Gaza for political motives.
The demonstrations come after the Israeli military ramped up its attacks on Gaza, with protesters criticizing the government for not prioritizing the safety of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
On Thursday, more than 10,000 people gathered in various parts of Israel to express their discontent with the government`s actions, according to The Guardian.
The protesters argue that Netanyahu`s administration is continuing the conflict for political gain and not doing enough to secure the release of the 59 Israelis who remain captive.
Many believe that at least 24 of these hostages are still alive, and the government`s perceived neglect has fueled widespread outrage.
The "Brothers in Arms" movement, one of the prominent groups leading the protests, has been particularly vocal. Its CEO, Eytan Hershl, stated,
"Netanyahu has once again started a war to divert attention from issues that would bother the public. The government has lost all forms of legitimacy at every possible level. They are failing."
Demonstrators, waving flags and holding signs supporting the hostages, have been gathering near Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem since Wednesday.
They are demanding immediate action to bring the captives home, and many fear that the ongoing military operations could put their lives at even greater risk.
One of the protest organizers, Ora Nakash Peled, urged demonstrators to remain focused and united in their efforts.
"We need to be organized, we need to be steadfast, and we need to stay focused on our main goal. Violence is not the solution, but we cannot afford to keep things too civil either," she said, underscoring the growing frustration among Israeli citizens.
On the other hand, the conflict has led to heavy casualties in Gaza.
Al Jazeera reported that Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults in the past three days have resulted in the deaths of at least 600 Palestinians.
The escalating violence has shattered the fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January this year.
Both sides had previously been in negotiations to extend the truce, but Israel`s latest military offensive has put those efforts on hold.
The situation traces back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Since then, Israel and Hamas have struggled to find common ground for peace.
During the first phase of the ceasefire, 25 hostages were released alive.
However, progress has since stalled, and mutual blame between the two parties has fueled further conflict.
The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza has stated that over 48,500 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli attacks since the conflict reignited.
In addition to the loss of life, there has been significant damage to homes and infrastructure across Gaza.
While Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from the public, he is also entangled in a separate battle in the courtroom.
The Prime Minister is currently on trial for corruption, and it is widely speculated that he may face imprisonment if convicted.
As the conflict intensifies and domestic unrest grows, many Israelis are left questioning the government’s priorities, with the fate of the hostages remaining uncertain amidst the ongoing war.
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