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Leaders
2 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
In Photos: Protests Sweep Israel Calling for Gaza War End, Hostage Deal
Demonstrators on Sunday flooded the streets of Israel, demanding an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages held by militants. This wave of protests coincides with the Israeli military's preparations for a new offensive in the region. Demonstrators take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. The protests follow a decision by Israel's security cabinet to capture Gaza City, marking a significant escalation after 22 months of conflict. The war began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, resulting in the abduction of 251 individuals. Currently, 49 hostages remain in Gaza, with the Israeli military reporting that 27 of them are deceased. Demonstrators take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. In Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, a massive Israeli flag adorned with portraits of the remaining captives was displayed prominently in the location that has served as a central hub for protests throughout the conflict. Demonstrators also blocked major roads, including the highway linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with Eyewitness accounts and local media footage showing protesters setting tires ablaze, creating significant traffic disruptions. People sit on the ground and cover their heads as a siren sounds a warning of incoming missile fired from Yemen during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Calls for Action Protest organizers, along with the primary campaign group representing hostage families, called for a general strike on Sunday. Doron Wilfand, a 54-year-old tour guide, voiced his sentiments at a rally in Jerusalem, stating, 'I think it's time to end the war. It's time to release all of the hostages. And it's time to help Israel recover and move towards a more stable Middle East.' Demonstrators block a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. However, some government officials opposed the demonstrations. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the protests, labeling them 'a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas.' He argued that public pressure for a deal undermines the safety of the hostages and threatens Israel's security. Footage from APTFV captured protesters rallying in Beeri, a kibbutz near the Gaza border that suffered greatly during the Hamas attack, with reports indicating that protests occurred in various locations across the country. Israel's plans to intensify military action in Gaza City and surrounding refugee camps have drawn international condemnation and domestic dissent. Demonstrators block a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza UN-backed experts have raised alarms about a looming famine in Gaza, where Israel has significantly restricted humanitarian aid. According to Gaza's civil defense agency, Israeli troops killed at least 13 Palestinians on Saturday while they waited for food aid near distribution sites. Since the conflict began in October 2023, Israeli military actions have resulted in over 61,897 Palestinian deaths, predominantly among civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations considers credible. Demonstrators partially block a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. As protests continue to grow across Israel, the call for peace and the release of hostages remains urgent. The situation in Gaza escalates, prompting both local and international communities to seek solutions to this ongoing humanitarian crisis. Short link : Post Views: 16
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Israel says struck Huthi 'energy infrastructure site' in Yemen
TEL AVIV: Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel Sunday calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages still held by militants, as the military prepares a new offensive. The protests come more than a week after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, following 22 months of war that have created dire humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territory. The war was triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, during which 251 were taken hostage. Forty-nine captives remain in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. A huge Israeli flag covered with portraits of the remaining captives was unfurled in Tel Aviv's so-called Hostage Square -- which has long been a focal point for protests throughout the war. Demonstrators also blocked several roads in the city, including the highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where demonstrators set tires on fire and caused traffic jams, according to local media footage. Protest organisers and the main campaign group representing the families of hostages also called for a general strike on Sunday. 'I think it's time to end the war. It's time to release all of the hostages. And it's time to help Israel recover and move towards a more stable Middle East,' said Doron Wilfand, a 54-year-old tour guide, at a rally in Jerusalem. However, some government members who oppose any deal with Hamas slammed the demonstrations. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich decried 'a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas'. He argued that public pressure to secure a deal effectively 'buries the hostages in tunnels and seeks to push the State of Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardise its security and future'. APTFV footage showed protesters at a rally in Beeri, a kibbutz near the Gaza border that was one of the hardest-hit communities in the Hamas attack, and Israeli media reported protests in numerous locations across the country. Israeli plans to expand the war into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps have sparked an international outcry as well as domestic opposition. UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has drastically curtailed the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in. According to Gaza's civil defence agency, Israeli troops shot dead at least 13 Palestinians on Saturday as they were waiting to collect food aid near distribution sites. Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's offensive has killed more than 61,897 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza which the United Nations considers reliable - AFP
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Protests held across Israel calling for end to Gaza war, hostage deal
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Demonstrators block a road during a protest in Israel on Aug 17, demanding an end to the war and the return of hostages. TEL AVIV - Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel on Aug 17, calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages still held by militants, as the military prepares a new offensive . The protests come more than a week after Israel's security Cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City , following 22 months of war that have created dire humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territory. The war was triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel , during which 251 were taken hostage. Forty-nine captives remain in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. A huge Israeli flag covered with portraits of the remaining captives was unfurled in Tel Aviv's so-called Hostage Square – which has long been a focal point for protests throughout the war. Demonstrators also blocked several roads in the city, including the highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where demonstrators set tires on fire and caused traffic jams, according to local media footage. Protest organisers and the main campaign group representing the families of hostages also called for a general strike on Aug 17. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore I want to divorce my husband and be a single mother: More victims speaking up on emotional abuse World Trump drops Ukraine ceasefire demand after Putin summit Singapore Buying hope: Inside S'pore's love affair with the lottery Singapore She won big in Genting, but getting $240k winnings back to Singapore was dicey Life These cats may have disabilities, but they are resilient and capable of being affectionate Singapore PM Wong's National Day Rally speech to begin at 6.45pm on Aug 17 Singapore Motorcyclist dies after multi-vehicle collision on TPE Opinion Confessions of a born-again Singaporean 'I think it's time to end the war. It's time to release all of the hostages. And it's time to help Israel recover and move towards a more stable Middle East,' said Mr Doron Wilfand, a 54-year-old tour guide, at a rally in Jerusalem. However, some government members who oppose any deal with Hamas slammed the demonstrations. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich decried 'a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas'. He argued that public pressure to secure a deal effectively 'buries the hostages in tunnels and seeks to push the State of Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardise its security and future'. APTFV footage showed protesters at a rally in Beeri, a kibbutz near the Gaza border that was one of the hardest-hit communities in the Hamas attack, and Israeli media reported protests in numerous locations across the country. Israeli plans to expand the war into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps have sparked an international outcry as well as domestic opposition. United Nations-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has drastically curtailed the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in. According to Gaza's civil defence agency, Israeli troops shot dead at least 13 Palestinians on Aug 16 as they were waiting to collect food aid near distribution sites. Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's offensive has killed more than 61,897 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza which the UN considers reliable. AFP
