Local media has called the anti-government rally one of the largest in 22 months of war
Thousands of Israeli protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities on Saturday night to oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to seize Gaza City. It is one of the biggest protests yet seen against the war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas militants’ attack on Israel in October 2023.
The rallies calling for an immediate ceasefire agreement have attracted more than 100,000 protesters and were organized by the families of captives being held by Hamas. They fear taking control of Gaza City could expand the war and result in the deaths of more soldiers and hostages.
Relatives of the captives and fallen soldiers are planning to call on private companies, organizations, trade unions and ordinary citizens to participate in a nationwide general strike.
Netanyahu’s security cabinet approved a plan on “concluding the war” with Hamas in Gaza on Friday. The government defied warnings from the army that such an operation risks the lives of the remaining hostages in addition to potentially sparking a humanitarian disaster.
The cabinet approved five principles to end the war, including the disarming of Hamas, the return of all hostages, and the demilitarization of Gaza.
Shortly before the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that Israel intended to hand Gaza over to unspecified “Arab forces that will govern it properly.”
The plan has drawn widespread criticism at home and abroad, including from the opposition and some of Israel’s closest allies. Multiple Western nations, save for the US, have condemned the move to seize Gaza City and urged Israel to reconsider.
Israeli far-right proponents of continuing the war, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have called for the annexation of large parts of Gaza.
About 1,200 people, mostly Israelis, were killed and 251 abducted and taken to Gaza during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. Approximately 50 hostages are still unaccounted for in the enclave, with only about 20 of them believed to still be alive.
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