Thousands Protest in Tel Aviv Against War Expansion, Demand End to Conflict and Hostage Release

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand an end to the war in Gaza. The massive demonstration came just one day after the Israeli government pledged to expand military operations and seize control of Gaza City, a decision that has sparked a wave of local and international criticism.

Journalists estimated the number of participants in the demonstration to be in the tens of thousands, while the Forum for Hostage Families in Israel claimed that up to 100,000 people took part, making it significantly larger than previous anti-war protests. Demonstrators waved banners and held up pictures of the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, calling on Benjamin Netanyahu's government to prioritize their release through negotiation rather than military escalation.

During the protest, a relative of one of the slain hostages, Shahar Mor Zehirov, delivered a direct message to Prime Minister Netanyahu, warning him that expanding military operations could lead to the death of more hostages. He emphasized that if this were to happen, they would "pursue you in the city squares, in election campaigns, and at all times and places."

Despite mounting local and international pressure, Netanyahu has stood firm in his position. In a social media post, he stated, "We do not intend to occupy Gaza, but we will liberate Gaza from Hamas," an attempt to distinguish between military objectives and a permanent occupation, though these statements have failed to quell the criticism.

According to the article, there are still 49 Israeli hostages in Gaza, and 27 of them are believed to be dead, adding to the pressure on the government to find a negotiated solution. In a related development, the Palestinian Authority condemned Israel's plans to expand its operations, with President Mahmoud Abbas calling it "a new crime." He stressed the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the entry of humanitarian aid.