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Demonstrators in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square” displayed a massive Israeli flag adorned with images of the captives, chanting, “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages.” Protesters, including former captive Arbel Yehoud, emphasized that only a negotiated deal could ensure the safe return of the hostages, with fears that further military escalation could endanger the estimated 20 captives still alive.
The protests coincided with Israel’s security cabinet approving plans to advance military operations in Gaza City, intensifying attacks and displacing thousands of Palestinians amid a war that has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and left Gaza on the brink of famine. The offensive, described by rights groups as genocidal, has drawn international condemnation, with arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes.
In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, protesters blocked major roads, including the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway, leading to 32 arrests. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum declared a nationwide strike, vowing to escalate protests with a tent near the Gaza border. Demonstrator Ofir Penso told AFP, “This is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages.”
While President Isaac Herzog urged international pressure on Hamas, far-right ministers like Bezalel Smotrich and Miki Zohar criticized the protests as aiding Hamas. Opposition leader Benny Gantz accused the government of failing the hostages’ families. Meanwhile, Egyptian officials reported ongoing efforts to broker a 60-day truce, following the collapse of earlier talks in Qatar.
As Israel’s military prepares for the next phase of its offensive, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” Hamas warned of further devastation and displacement in Gaza. The international community continues to raise alarms over the humanitarian crisis in the territory.
