In a surge of grief and anger, tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in one of the largest protests since the conflict with Hamas began nearly 11 months ago. Their demands? A ceasefire and the safe return of the remaining hostages. The catalyst for this outpouring of emotion was the discovery of six more hostages, found dead in Gaza, adding to the mounting toll of the conflict.
Protesters, many weeping, gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem, chanting “Now! Now!” They accused the government of prioritizing its own interests over the lives of the hostages. In Tel Aviv, relatives of the hostages marched with coffins, symbolizing the devastating human cost. “We really think that the government is making these decisions for its own conservation and not for the lives of the hostages, and we need to tell them, ‘Stop!’” said Shlomit Hacohen, a Tel Aviv resident.
Ceasefire negotiations have dragged on for months, with many blaming Netanyahu for failing to reach a deal. Israel’s army has acknowledged the difficulty of rescuing the remaining hostages, emphasizing that only a deal can secure their return. “Nothing is worse than knowing that they could have been saved,” said Dana Loutaly. “Sometimes it takes something so awful to shake people up and get them out into the streets.”
The protests come as Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, announced a general strike for Monday, the first since the Hamas attack on October 7th. The strike aims to disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care, and the country’s main airport, putting further pressure on the government.
Meanwhile, the killing of the six hostages in a tunnel under Gaza sparked international reactions. Several U.S. Democratic lawmakers renewed calls for an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire, while Republicans criticized President Biden and Vice President Harris for not providing stronger support to Israel.
President Biden offered condolences to the parents of one of the hostages, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, who appeared at the Democratic National Convention last month. A White House official said that national security advisor Jake Sullivan would hold a virtual meeting on Sunday with the families of American hostages held by Hamas.
The discovery of the hostages’ bodies, found in a tunnel in Gaza where they were apparently killed shortly before Israeli troops reached them, has reignited public anger and prompted questions about the government’s actions. Netanyahu has vowed to continue fighting until Hamas is destroyed, a stance supported by some Israelis. However, critics accuse the prime minister of prioritizing his personal interests over those of the hostages.
The war’s end is likely to lead to an investigation into the government’s failures during the October 7th attacks, potentially causing a government collapse and early elections. “I think this is an earthquake. This isn’t just one more step in the war,” said Nomi Bar-Yaacov, associate fellow in the International Security Program at Chatham House, shortly before Sunday’s protests began.
Adding to the tension, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had a heated argument during a security Cabinet meeting on Thursday. Gallant accused Netanyahu of prioritizing control of a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border – a major sticking point in the talks – over the lives of the hostages.
As the conflict continues, the pressure on Netanyahu mounts, and the future of Israel’s government hangs in the balance. The outcome of this conflict will have long-lasting consequences for both Israel and the region.
