Thousands of Israeli protesters gathered in cities across the country on Saturday to demand Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate a deal with Hamas to free captives held in Gaza. The protesters, estimated at 750,000, called on the government to agree to a ceasefire deal to secure the release of dozens of captives. The recent recovery of six captives’ bodies has intensified the calls for action.
The protesters believe that a military solution is not the answer and that dialogue is the key to resolving the issue. They are urging Netanyahu to consider a truce and the swapping of captives with Palestinian prisoners. Despite previous successful negotiations that led to the release of over 100 captives last year, Netanyahu has so far rejected Hamas’s demands.
The demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Haifa resulted in clashes with the police and several arrests. This marks one of the largest protests in Israel since 2023. The protesters are demanding the safe return of the remaining captives from Gaza, where more than 100 are still believed to be held, some possibly killed.
Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza have resulted in a high number of casualties, with over 40,900 Palestinians killed and nearly 94,700 injured. The country has also restricted humanitarian aid, leading to shortages of essential supplies like food, water, and medicine. Israel is facing accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza, and the situation has drawn international attention. The pressure on Netanyahu to act and secure the release of the captives is growing as the protests continue.
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