Protesters against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government gathered in Tel Aviv to call for the release of hostages kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attacks.
Thousands of protesters lit bonfires and gagged themselves in protest of the government’s failure to recover the hostages.
Photos taken Saturday night show thousands of people heading to the city’s Kaplan Street, the site of weekly anti-government protests.
Some held signs blaming Netanyahu for the hostages’ fate, with photographs of his face next to the text: “You’re the boss, you’re the culprit.”
Hamas militants took around 250 hostages on October 7, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 presumed dead.
Protesters lit bonfires and gagged themselves in protest of the government’s failure to recover the hostages.
Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, carrying Israeli signs and flags, lit a bonfire during a demonstration in front of the Kirya military headquarters.
Hamas militants took around 250 hostages on October 7, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 presumed dead.
Police accused the anti-government protesters of being “troublemakers” and said the demonstration was illegal.
There have been several clashes between police and protesters as officers blocked Begin Road in Tel Aviv while protesters lit bonfires in front of the Kirya military headquarters.
Police said they have arrested 16 people in Tel Aviv so far.
Some protesters heard chants of “shame” as police tried to move them away from the bonfires.
It comes as families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza called for a mass demonstration outside parliament next week while thousands of people gathered to support them in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
Shira Elbag, whose 19-year-old daughter Liri was kidnapped by Hamas militants during the October 7 attack on Israel, made an emotional plea urging Israelis to increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“The time has come to go out and fight against indifference and for life,” he said.
Some carried signs blaming Netanyahu for the fate of the hostages.
One poster had images of Netanyahu’s face next to the text: “UR the boss, UR the guilty.”
The weekly demonstration in Tel Aviv Square, renamed by activists as Hostage Square, came as anti-government protesters also gathered near the Defense Ministry.
A protester carries a menorah during a meeting of relatives of Israeli hostages.
A demonstrator gestures during a protest against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Protesters with gags and hands tied loosely.
Thousands gathered to make their voices heard as part of Israeli democracy
A protester with a zipper in her mouth participates in the protest.
‘Now I ask you to take to the streets with us and let us sound a united and clear voice: ‘Bring them home now!’
He said they would meet in front of the parliament building in Jerusalem next week.
The weekly demonstration in Tel Aviv Square, renamed by activists as Hostage Square, came as anti-government protesters also gathered near the Defense Ministry.
Some of those who took to the streets in support of the hostages’ families later joined the anti-government demonstration, an AFP photographer said.
Former hostage Raz Ben Ami, who was freed in November following a deal brokered by Qatar and Washington, appealed directly to Netanyahu to speed up talks for the release of the rest.
‘Prime Minister, on behalf of the hostages, men and women, on behalf of the people of Israel, give the order to the negotiators in Qatar. Don’t come back without an agreement,” he said.
Elbag, one of the leaders of the Hostage Families Forum, which represents some of the families, added: “I have not closed an eye to the thoughts and fear of what Liri and the other hostages are going through. After 176 days, No more excuses.’
Since the end of last year, numerous demonstrations have been organized among those who believe that not enough has been done to ensure the safe return of the hostages still trapped in Gaza.
Police accused the anti-government protesters of being “troublemakers” and said the demonstration was illegal. In the image: Police arrest a man.
Young and old protesters attended the event in Tel Aviv.
Police said they have arrested 16 people so far in Tel Aviv.
Some protesters heard chants of “shame” as police tried to move them away from the bonfires.
Police officers take away a man during the protest.
More than 32,500 Palestinians and more than 1,450 Israelis have died, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Israel Defense Forces since October 7.
“If the families knew how small the gap Netanyahu refuses to close is” in negotiations with Hamas, “they would explode,” said former head of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate Amos Malka.
“This is further proof of his inability to serve.”
Twenty hostage families also told reporters that Netanyahu was the “obstacle to an agreement,” claiming he was making decisions without consulting the cabinet and only serving his own interests.
Netanyahu’s popularity in Israel has fallen since the war, and critics suggest he may be prolonging the war to stay in power.
“Netanyahu entered the war already with low popularity ratings,” said Mairav Zonszein, senior Israel-Palestine analyst at the International Crisis Group. The new arab.
“After October 7, he lost all legitimacy and many Israelis hold him responsible for what happened,” Zonszein said. “People want to see Netanyahu out.”
Only 15 percent of Israelis now want him to remain in office once the war ends.
“Netanyahu’s behavior is unimaginable,” the hostages’ families told local media.
Protesters carry banners during the demonstration.
A woman participates in a protest to demand the release of hostages
Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, carrying Israeli signs and flags, block the Ayalon Highway during the demonstration.
‘It’s criminal. We have no choice. We will work to replace it immediately; this is the quickest way to close a deal.’
Saturday’s large protest comes after a previous large demonstration in January that marked the 100th day of Israeli hostages’ captivity in Gaza.
Following the Hamas attack, Israel has responded with a sustained military campaign in Gaza, initially laying siege to Gaza City and attacking sites it claims are controlled by Hamas with devastating aerial bombardments.
Israel’s airstrikes and ground offensive have left 32,705 Palestinians dead, local health authorities said Saturday, of whom 82 died in the past 24 hours.
Last week, the United Nations Security Council supported calls for a ceasefire and urged that all hostages still held captive in Gaza should also be released.
Resolution 2728 is understood to be non-binding and is not expected to have an immediate impact on the ongoing conflict.
Israel is not expected to heed the call for an immediate ceasefire, and Hamas is not expected to immediately and unconditionally release the remaining 134 hostages.
Gaza is home to about 2.3 million people, 1.7 million of whom have been displaced by the war, according to the United Nations Population Fund.