Latest news with #HostageSquare
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Protests in Israel as government prepares for new offensive on Gaza City – Middle East crisis live
Update: Date: 2025-08-18T07:38:56.000Z Title: Tens of thousands of protesters gather in Tel Aviv to pressure Israeli government to halt military campaign Content: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Israel's war on Gaza. Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening to demand an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages – one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the start of the fighting in October 2023. The evening rally was the culmination of a day of protest and a general strike to pressure the government to halt the military campaign. 'Bring them all home! Stop the war!' shouted the vast crowd, which had converged on the so-called Hostage Square in Tel Aviv plaza – a focal point for protesters throughout the war. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, the initiator of the day of protest, estimated that about 500,000 people joined the demonstration in Tel Aviv – a figure not confirmed by the police. 'We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war,' said Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading figure of the protest movement. In other developments: Amnesty International on Monday accused Israel of enacting a 'deliberate policy' of starvation in Gaza, citing testimonies of displaced Palestinians and medical staff treating malnourished children in the territory. Israel, while heavily restricting aid allowed into the Gaza Strip, has repeatedly rejected claims of deliberate starvation in the 22-month-old war. Contacted by AFP, the military and foreign ministry did not immediately comment on Amnesty's findings. The Australian government cancelled the visa of a far-right Israeli politician on Monday ahead of a speaking tour, a move event organisers tagged 'viciously antisemitic'. Simcha Rothman, whose party is part of Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition, had been scheduled to speak at events organised by the Australian Jewish Association.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Thousands of Israelis go on strike to demand ceasefire and hostage releases
Thousands of Israelis have joined a nationwide strike demanding a ceasefire deal to free the hostages and protesting against the government's plan to occupy Gaza. The strike, initiated by families of hostages, saw protesters taking to the streets across the nation on Sunday, blocking major highways with burning tyres, and staging demonstrations in front of government ministers' homes. Police used water cannons to disperse protestors who blocked Highway 16 in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, 25 people were arrested across the country for violating public order, according to the authorities. Noga Gur Arye, the aunt of Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, spoke at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Sunday morning, saying her nephew is '40 metres underground'. 'He's bound in chains, he's severely wounded, he's probably losing his sight. He suffers from severe head trauma and shrapnel throughout his body, and he's alone,' she said, adding that the people of Israel 'don't have the privilege to ignore, we don't have the right to distance ourselves or flee from this reality'. Lishay Miran Lavi, the husband of hostage Omri, said: 'Today is just the beginning. We intend to escalate the struggle. We have no other choice.' Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel, also made an appearance at Hostage Square on Sunday morning, with a plea to international media and decision-makers: 'Our sons and daughters are there in the dungeons of Gaza for 681 days. We want them back home as soon as possible.' 'The world should want them back home as soon as possible. Press – because when you know how to press, you press, press and tell Hamas, 'No deal, no nothing, until you release them.'' Protesters were also seen marching towards the Gaza border, where they plan to set up a camp where they will be sleeping overnight. A number of large high-tech firms allowed their employees to join the strike, including Wix, Meta and Fiverr. Israel's Bar Association, universities in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem, and Israel Airports Authority employees union also backed the strike, allowing staff to take a day off. Groups of protesters also gathered in front of the private homes of Amir Ohana, the Knesset speaker, Yoav Kisch, the education minister. Nir Barkat, the economy minister, and Sharren Haskel, the deputy foreign minister. Demonstrators were planning to hold a joint prayer at 6pm local time at Hostage Square before a big rally. The large-scale protests were met with harsh criticism from government ministers who accused demonstrators of playing into Hamas's hands. 'All these protests accomplished one thing for certain: they strengthened Hamas and set back the release of the hostages,' Amichai Chikli, the diaspora affairs minister, told The Telegraph. Bezalel Smotrich, the far-Right finance minister, called the protests a 'bad and damaging campaign that is playing into Hamas's hands and is burying the hostages in the tunnels.' And Miki Zohar, the culture minister, criticised the disruption of daily life in Israel, calling it a 'grave mistake and a reward for the enemy who sees the pictures this morning and revels in joy'. 'The rage and protests must be aimed at international pressure against Hamas so that it releases our loved ones, and not at those who are doing everything to bring [the hostages] home,' Mr Zohar added. 'Our hostages are not pawns' Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, who backed the nationwide strike, responded to accusations by ministers that Israeli demonstrators were rewarding Hamas, saying: 'Have you no shame? No one empowered Hamas more than you. 'We are shutting down the country today. Because our hostages are not pawns that the government is allowed to sacrifice for the sake of the war effort — they are citizens that the government must return to their families.' Benny Gantz, the former defence minister and leader of the National Unity party, also lashed out at the ministers who attacked demonstrators, saying their accusations 'weaken and divide us'. Families of hostages have long accused the government of abandoning their loved ones in Gaza, and have warned that Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for a full occupation of the enclave is a 'death sentence' for the hostages.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Protests held across Israel calling for end to Gaza war, hostage deal
TEL AVIV, Aug 17 — Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel today 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 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 today. '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
France 24
a day ago
- Politics
- France 24
Protests held across Israel calling for end to Gaza war, hostage deal
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 people 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 -- the first day of the week in Israel. In Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv, many businesses were shut. "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. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group said in a statement that protesters would "shut down the country today (Sunday) with one clear call: Bring back the 50 hostages, end the war". Their toll includes a soldier killed in a 2014 war whose remains are held by Hamas. The forum plans to set up a protest tent near the Gaza border, vowing to "escalate our struggle and do everything possible to bring back our beloved ones". "If we don't bring them back now -– we will lose them forever." 'Stay strong' Recent videos released by Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad showing two weak and emaciated captives have heightened concern for the fate of the hostages. Egypt said in recent days mediators were leading a renewed push to secure a 60-day truce that would include hostage release, after the last round of talks in Qatar had ended without a breakthrough. Viki Cohen, whose son Nimrod is held in Gaza, said in a post on X addressing him: "I hope you have access to the media somewhere in the tunnels, and that you will see how the people of Israel pause life today for you and for the hostages. Stay strong, just a little more." Speaking at a rally in Tel Aviv, Israeli President Issac Herzog said "we want them back as soon as possible", calling for international pressure on Hamas. Some Israeli government members who oppose any deal with Hamas slammed Sunday's 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". Culture Minister Miki Zohar, of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said on X that blocking roads and disrupting daily life "is a serious mistake and a reward to the enemy". Israeli police beefed up forces, saying no "public order disturbances" would be tolerated. Famine warning AFPTV 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. The 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. 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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protests held across Israel calling for end to Gaza war, hostage deal
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. bur-ds/ami
