Protesters calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the return of captives took to the streets across Israel. Some demonstrators torched tires and blocked highways in Tel Aviv, while others rallied outside the homes of senior ministers, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Education Minister Yoav Kisch, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and Innovation Minister Gila Gamliel.
Israeli media also reported rallies near a US embassy branch in the city.
At a news conference in Tel Aviv, families of captives held in Gaza accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of failing them and demanded an immediate deal for their release.
“Advancing the plan to conquer Gaza while there is an agreement lying on the table for the prime minister’s signature is a stab in the heart of the families and the entire nation,” said Itzik Horn, father of two captives, one of whom is still being held in Gaza.
Einav Zangauker, the mother of an Israeli captive, also accused Netanyahu of not returning the captives because of personal interests.
“We could have ended the war a year ago and brought all the hostages and soldiers home. We could have saved them, but the prime minister has chosen again and again to sacrifice civilians for his rule,” she said.
Yehuda Cohen, father of another captive, said, “More than 80 percent want an end to the war and a hostage deal. All of Israel wants an end to this nightmare … Today, on day 690, we demand that the Israeli government go to a deal and release all the hostages; you owe them this.”