The tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in multiple cities including Tel Aviv to demand a prisoner exchange with Palestinian factions and call for early elections, the latest reports suggest.
At the Karkur junction, demonstrators displayed a banner stating “Netanyahu does not want the war to end and the hostages to return,” and chanted: “We need new leadership… Elections now.”
The protesters also gathered in front of Netanyahu’s residence in Caesarea, demanding early elections and an immediate deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza, as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth.
Netanyahu expressed willingness for a “partial” agreement to free some Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip. However, on Monday, he reiterated his commitment to a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal.
Addressing the Knesset, Netanyahu declared, “We will not end the war until we bring back all the hostages and eliminate Hamas, ensuring the safe return of the southern residents,”.
State-run Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the demonstrators started assembling at Kaplan Square in central Tel Aviv for a weekly protest advocating for a prisoner swap deal and early elections.
The similar protests took place at the Karkur junction in northern Israel and in Rehovot, near Tel Aviv, opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration and urging for the release of hostages, according to the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.
Israel earlier had estimated around 120 Israelis are held by Hamas in Gaza. Mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have yet to finalize a lasting ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
Despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, Israel faced global condemnation for its ongoing military actions in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
The local health authorities report over 37,800 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, were killed, and more than 86,800 injured in Gaza.
The region remained in ruins under a severe blockade restricting food, clean water and the medical supplies.
Israel faced the genocide accusations at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to cease its operations in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.
