All -day demonstrations and strikes organized by hostage families took place in several dozen places throughout Israel and, according to the Forum of Families, hostages could gather About a million people.
Under the headquarters of the ruling party Likud Prime Minister Binjamin Netanyahu, where demonstrators ignited the bonfire, There were clashes with police officers. Under Jerusalem, the police used water cannons to disperse the protesters who sat on the ground in a tunnel along the road leading to the capital.
Israel revealed a plan. Wave of opposition
– This nightmare must end. We are here because we want to release hostages, we want the end of the war and the end of the rule of Netanyahu, who, continuing this cruel war, is divided by the nation – told Pap Awi, met in the evening near the Jerusalem residence of the prime minister.
Demonstrations concerned controversy related to The government's plans on the extension of the military offensive in the Gaza Strip, incl. on the city of Gaza, which would require the appointment of thousands of reservists. Many protesters are afraid that this will threaten the lives of hostages in captivity. Of the 50 people still detained by Hamas, according to Israeli data, no more than 20 live.
– The only thing that this war brings us now is the death of more soldiers. Hamas uses the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip, and the world turns from Israel. How can Netanyahu count that the new offensive will change anything? The war will go on forever, and the hostages will die in the fighting or Hamas will starve them – added Noa.
The 30-year-old accountant told PAP that she was taking part in a strike, because she hopes that this will lead to even greater mobilization of Israeli society. – We will continue these protests until the end The woman declared.
At the rally they spoke, among others The fathers of the kidnapped: Oakr Braslawski and Jehuda Kohen, who accused Netanyah and his office that they consciously abandoned their sons for political purposes.
– My son, Nimrod, is now suffering that the government can build housing estates in Gaza (after taking the territory by Israel – PAP). I will not let him be laid on this altar, 'Kohen announced.
Appeal to the President of the USA
Former hostages They also appealed to Donald Trump for help in the end of the war and bringing other Israelis home.
Starting the weekly meeting of the government, Netanyahu criticized the protesters.
– Those who today call until the end of the war without defeating Hamas, not only strengthen the position of Hamas and delay the release of our hostages, but also make the nightmare of October 7 repeat – the prime minister said, referring to the Hamas attack from 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and which began the ongoing war.
The polls have repeatedly shown that The vast majority of Israeli support a weapon suspension agreement, which in exchange for the end of the war would result in the release of all hostages.
The authorities respond to protests
The prime minister remains under pressure not only of the public, but also of the coalition. A representative of the extreme right and a key coalition partner of Netanyahu, Becalel Smotricz, called Sunday demonstrations “A bad and harmful campaignwhich works in favor of Hamas, burying hostages in tunnels and trying to force Israel to surrender to enemies. “
When Israel for the last time agreed to the suspension of weapons, which in January led to the release of some hostages, far -right members of his office They threatened to overthrow the government.
– Protests will last, all hostages will return to the country, everyone – emphasized Jonatan. The man told PAP that he was already retired, but his two sons support the strike and did not work on Sunday, which in Israel is a normal working day.
– There were so many moments when the war could already be ended, it cannot be allowed that it lasted forever – added Jonatan. He noted that, like most Israelis, they want to destroy terrorists from Hamas, but “not at the expense of hostages.”
The prime minister may change his mind
Meanwhile, Israeli media informs about possible change of position by the Prime Minister. Although Netanyahu publicly excludes the conclusion of an agreement that does not provide for the release of all hostages, sources close to negotiations – cited by channels 12 and 13. Israeli television – claim that it considers a partial arrangement. It is at stake, among others The suspension of weapons for 60 days and the release of some hostages, including the dead.
The prime minister's strategic advisor, Ron Dermer, remains the main opponent of the partial agreement, which, according to channel 12, demands a warranty from the USA as to the conditions of ending the war. The plan involves obtaining such a declaration from Trump within a month, which is to prompt Hamas to surrender without the need to expand the offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is applied to the background of events in Israel. According to the Ministry of Health there, almost 62,000 were killed since the beginning of the war. Palestinians. On Sunday, another 29 people died, including seven because of malnutrition. Delivery blocking is still underway, despite the partial resumption of help.
