Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied across the country on Sunday in one of the largest protests since the start of the war with Hamas. From Tel Aviv to Eilat, demonstrators demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secure a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement.
The protests were sparked by the tragic discovery of six hostages killed in Gaza, which intensified frustration and anger towards Netanyahu, who some believe has been delaying efforts to finalize a deal. The situation led Israel’s largest labor union to announce a general strike, threatening a significant disruption to the Israeli economy.
The bodies of the six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were recovered from a tunnel in Rafah, Gaza. Autopsies revealed they were shot at close range shortly before their bodies were found.
This discovery fueled public outrage and intensified the protests, with demonstrators blocking highways, waving flags, and chanting slogans demanding the government act. The news that these hostages, who were believed to be part of a potential ceasefire agreement, were killed raised the stakes in the ongoing conflict and added to the sense of urgency among protesters.
In Tel Aviv, a particularly poignant protest took place with a mock cemetery set up to blame Netanyahu for the deaths. As protesters gathered, police used a water cannon filled with foam to disperse those blocking highways, which further inflamed tensions.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum estimated that around 700,000 people participated in the demonstrations nationwide, with a significant portion in Tel Aviv. The protests were marked by a high level of emotional intensity, with demonstrators expressing their grief and anger through various forms of protest.
Protests also spread to Jerusalem, where demonstrators called for Netanyahu’s resignation during a cabinet meeting. The protests were not just about the immediate issue but also about the future, with some participants, like Eden Kramer, expressing concern for the next generation. The general sentiment among the protesters was one of frustration with the government’s handling of the hostage crisis and a demand for more decisive action.
The discovery of the hostages’ bodies has complicated the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire deal. There is growing skepticism about Netanyahu’s willingness to agree to a deal, especially given the opposition from far-right coalition partners.
The debate over control of the Philadelphi corridor, a crucial border area between Gaza and Egypt, has been a major sticking point. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the government for prioritizing this control over the negotiation of a ceasefire, adding to the internal divisions within the cabinet.
The planned nationwide strike, called by Israel’s largest trade union, reflects the deepening crisis. The strike aims to disrupt daily life significantly, including a shutdown of Ben-Gurion Airport. The union’s chairman, Arnon Bar-David, argued that the strike is necessary to shock the government into action.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem also announced its participation, highlighting the broader impact of the strike. This escalation in public and labor action underscores the urgency and severity of the situation as Israel grapples with both the ongoing conflict and the domestic unrest.
