Large-scale protests have erupted in Israel with citizens demanding a ceasefire and the return of prisoners held by Hamas, Al Jazeera reports. Protesters, chanting “Now! Now!”, are calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas and secure the release of the remaining prisoners.
Al Jazeera reports that clashes between protesters and security forces broke out on Sunday evening, one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in Israel since the Gaza conflict began nearly 11 months ago. Protesters in Tel Aviv blocked roads and gathered outside Netanyahu’s office in West Jerusalem.
The Missing Hostages and Families Forum, which represents the families of hostages in Gaza, blamed the deaths of six hostages on Netanyahu’s failure to negotiate a ceasefire. The forum said the people were killed recently after enduring nearly 11 months of ill-treatment, torture and starvation under Hamas rule.
Gil Dickmann, a relative of Carmel Gat, one of the dead hostages, has called for increased public pressure on the government. Dickmann’s message implores Israelis to protest and paralyze the country until all the captives are returned, believing that they can still be rescued.
In an unprecedented move since October 7, the Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union federation, has announced a general strike to force the government to agree to a ceasefire.
Since the start of the Gaza war on October 7, the Israeli military has reported at least 40,738 casualties and 94,154 injuries. On the same day, Hamas-led attacks left around 1,139 people dead in Israel and around 250 people captured by the group.
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