Mass rally in Tel Aviv against expansion of Israeli military operations
The demonstration took place on Saturday in Israel's biggest commercial city with families of hostages taken by the Islamic group Hamas in attendance. It followed the announcement on Friday that the Israeli government approved the expansion of the military operation in Gaza City at a Cabinet meeting.
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled. Gaza City is the largest city in the enclave with a population of nearly 1 million.
Israeli media say tens of thousands of people took part in Saturday's protest. Some of them held up photos of hostages and chanted "Bring them home now."
A woman who says her partner is one of the 50 hostages still held in Gaza called for the release of all captives by an agreement as well as for an end to the armed conflict.
In Israel, increasing numbers of people are voicing opposition to expansion of military operations. Polls conducted by Maariv, a local newspaper, right before the Cabinet approval showed 57 percent of Israelis believe that their country should pursue a comprehensive deal for the hostage release.
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