Dozens arrested in Israel as demonstrators demand hostage release deal
Protesters gathered at dozens of points across Israel, including outside politician's homes, military headquarters and on major highways. Police sprayed them with water cannon as they blocked roads. Some restaurants and theatres closed their doors for the day out of solidarity.
The 'day of stoppage' was organised by groups representing the families of hostages and bereaved families. It comes after Israel announced plans for a expanded offensive in Gaza which protesters fear would further endanger the remaining hostages.
'Military pressure doesn't bring hostages back - it only kills them,' former hostage Arbel Yehoud said at a demonstration in a Tel Aviv square. 'The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games.'
There are 50 hostages believed to remain in Gaza. Only about 20 of them are thought to still be alive.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that one of Israel's conditions for ending the ongoing war in Gaza is what he described as Israel's 'security control' over the Strip. This plan has drawn rejection from both the Palestinians and international condemnation.
Netanyahu has previously demanded the immediate release of the hostages but is balancing the threat of mutiny from within his coalition. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages, far-right members of his cabinet threatened to topple his government. They say they won't support any deal that allows Hamas to remain in power.
The situation in Gaza
Israel is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza as plans move ahead for a military offensive in some of the territory's most populated areas.
For over two weeks, international aid has been airdropped into Gaza. However, they are not adequate for the entire Strip, according to the UN and humanitarian agencies. They say the aid doesn't reach those most in need and sometimes falls into the sea or red zones, and even over crowded areas with tents injuring or killing people.
Hospitals in Gaza said at least 17 aid-seekers had been killed by Israeli forces on Sunday, including nine waiting for aid trucks close to the Morag corridor.
Tens of thousands of people have already been killed in Gaza and most of the Strip's population has been displaced. The UN is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in the enclave are at their highest since the war began.
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"We're here to make it very clear to the Israeli government that this is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages that are being held in the Hamas tunnels for almost 700 days," Ofir Penso, a 50-year-old Arabic teacher, told AFP. Demonstrations have been held regularly through most of the 22 months of war in the wake of the Hamas attacks in 2023, but Sunday's protests appeared to be one of the largest yet. The renewed energy of the movement came with the government deciding just over a week ago to seize Gaza City and nearby camps in a new offensive. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow to conquer the most populated swathes of the Gaza Strip has triggered an international backlash while aid agencies and UN experts have warned of unfolding famine in the territory. Recent video footage released by Palestinian militants showed hostages heavily emaciated and pale -- spurring fears that the captives' health is more fragile than ever. Many in the crowd wore makeshift patches on their shirts made with pieces of tape with the number 681 -- the number of days the hostages have been held captive in Gaza -- scrawled in marker pen. Of the 251 people taken hostage by Palestinian militants in October 2023, 49 remain in the Gaza Strip, including 27 the Israeli military has said are dead. 'Enough is enough' Snaking along downtown streets, shadowed by glass towers, the crowd converged on Tel Aviv's Hostage Square -- the focal point of movement. "The Israeli government has never offered a genuine initiative for a comprehensive agreement and an end to the war," Einav Tzangauker, whose son Matan is being held captive in Gaza, told the crowd. "We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours -– our children." The war has also touched on other frustrations for many who took to the streets. "The whole country is fighting with each other, our image around the world has completely changed, worse than it ever was, and enough is enough," Nick, a 31-year-old tech worker, told AFP, asking not to use his last name. Others worried about the fate of their own children enlisted in the Israeli military who had been sent to Gaza and feared that they might soon be recalled to fight. "We are hoping and praying that our government will hear us and listen to us," said Ella Kaufman from Kadima Zoran, who has two sons serving as officers in the Israeli army. "I'm also a concerned mother." While thousands took to the streets, there were others in Tel Aviv who hoped for an end to the war but in different circumstances. "No, I won't be protesting against Bibi, because I think that he has to finish the work, he has to finish the war," said Patrick Menache, a 69-year-old real estate investor in Tel Aviv, using a common nickname for Netanyahu. Nevertheless, he admitted the war had taken a toll.
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Dozens arrested in Israel as demonstrators demand hostage release deal
Israeli police arrested 38 people on Sunday during nationwide protests where demonstrators demanded their government strike a deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Protesters gathered at dozens of points across Israel, including outside politician's homes, military headquarters and on major highways. Police sprayed them with water cannon as they blocked roads. Some restaurants and theatres closed their doors for the day out of solidarity. The 'day of stoppage' was organised by groups representing the families of hostages and bereaved families. It comes after Israel announced plans for a expanded offensive in Gaza which protesters fear would further endanger the remaining hostages. 'Military pressure doesn't bring hostages back - it only kills them,' former hostage Arbel Yehoud said at a demonstration in a Tel Aviv square. 'The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games.' There are 50 hostages believed to remain in Gaza. Only about 20 of them are thought to still be alive. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that one of Israel's conditions for ending the ongoing war in Gaza is what he described as Israel's 'security control' over the Strip. This plan has drawn rejection from both the Palestinians and international condemnation. Netanyahu has previously demanded the immediate release of the hostages but is balancing the threat of mutiny from within his coalition. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages, far-right members of his cabinet threatened to topple his government. They say they won't support any deal that allows Hamas to remain in power. The situation in Gaza Israel is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza as plans move ahead for a military offensive in some of the territory's most populated areas. For over two weeks, international aid has been airdropped into Gaza. However, they are not adequate for the entire Strip, according to the UN and humanitarian agencies. They say the aid doesn't reach those most in need and sometimes falls into the sea or red zones, and even over crowded areas with tents injuring or killing people. Hospitals in Gaza said at least 17 aid-seekers had been killed by Israeli forces on Sunday, including nine waiting for aid trucks close to the Morag corridor. Tens of thousands of people have already been killed in Gaza and most of the Strip's population has been displaced. The UN is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in the enclave are at their highest since the war began.
