Widespread protests broke out across Israel this afternoon as anti-government demonstrators demanded US President-elect Donald Trump intervene and forcibly end the war with Hamas in Gaza.
Tensions between large sections of the Israeli public had already reached a boiling point over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict, but the release of a new video of Hamas holding 19-year-old Liri Albag hostage has sparked new calls for his removal from power.
In the emotional video, Liri, who is the youngest female captive left in Hamas hands, could be seen shaking and crying as she pleaded with Israeli authorities to do more to ensure her and the other hostages’ safe release.
Tonight in Jerusalem, hundreds of protesters calling for a hostage deal march toward Netanyahu’s residence in the city.
Protesters could be seen carrying signs that read: “Everyone is a humanitarian.” This was in reference to reports that current negotiations are focusing on an initial release of “humanitarian” hostage cases.
Arriving at Netanyahu’s house, Yoav Engel, the father of former hostage Ofir Engel, addressed the protesters and said: “we do not need to wait for a miracle, we need a decision and action.”
Earlier on Saturday, four protesters were also detained outside the Israeli Prime Minister’s home.
Protesters on the streets of Tel Aviv chant in support of a hostage deal around a bonfire.
Anti-government protesters lit multiple bonfires this afternoon in the streets of Tel Aviv.
An anti-war protester wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat stands in front of anti-Netanyahu banners.
An anti-Netanyahu poster taped to a Tel Aviv lamppost by a protester this afternoon
Many other protests also took place in the Israeli capital this afternoon, including a group of minimally dressed anti-war protesters who took up positions in the middle of the city’s King George Street.
Protesters have covered their skin with messages in Hebrew and Arabic that translate as “they too are dying of cold in Gaza,” according to the Times of Israel.
Tel Aviv is also experiencing widespread protests, with apparently thousands of protesters taking part as intense clashes with authorities broke out on the city streets.
At the anti-government, pro-hostage demonstration now held weekly in the city center, Israeli police could be seen breaking into the crowd of protesters to put out bonfires.
Pushing and shoving also occurred between police and the crowd, and several arrests were reportedly made.
Speakers at the rally also addressed a crowd of about 1,500 people in front of the IDF headquarters, where family members of the hostages called on Donald Trump to intervene and end the war.
Shahar Mor, nephew of the deceased hostage Avraham Munder, told the crowd that the US president-elect should “stop mounting the revenge campaign in Gaza.”
Omri Lifshitz, son of captivity survivor Yocheved Lofshitz and hostage Oded Lofshitz, also appealed to President Trump asking him to “end this damn war now.”
Protesters could also be seen handing out red caps, emblazoned with the slogan “Make America Great Again,” which has become synonymous with the American politician in recent times.
A protester is forcibly removed from outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Another protester, this time a man, is led away from the protest by soldiers.
Protesters plead with police who are detaining a seemingly peaceful protester.
Protesters in Tel Aviv refused to move out of the middle of the busy city center streets.
Officers on horseback could be seen pushing their way through the crowd of protesters.
Relatives of Liri Albag are seen pleading for a hostage deal to finally be reached
Liri Albag (pictured) appeared in a recently released Hamas hostage video, which has sparked a new wave of anti-government protests.
Along Tel-Aviv’s Begin Road, the Times of Israel reports that six protesters were detained after refusing to clear the street.
Officers on horseback could be seen pushing through the crowd as officers with water cannons looked on.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has yet to comment on tonight’s widespread demonstrations against his government, but has reportedly spoken to Liri Albag’s family.
A spokesman for Netanyahu said: “The prime minister told the family that he sympathizes with the suffering that Liri, her family and all the hostages and their families are going through.”
“The prime minister assured them that Israel continues to work tirelessly to return Liri and all the hostages home, and that efforts continue, even at this very moment.”