Thousands of anti-government protesters marched the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday in what was one of the largest gatherings the city has seen since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. While relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas attended their weekly rally demanding their release and calling for an end to the war.
A day before, Israel validated its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to seize full control of the Gaza Strip and step up military operations in the devastated territory – a move going ahead despite widespread public opposition and warnings from the army that it could endanger the hostages’ lives.
But in a seeming volte-face, Netanyahu has said that Israel does not intend to occupy Gaza. Instead, he claimed the goal is to “free Gaza from Hamas.”
Lishai Miran Lavi, wife of Omri Miran – one of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas – told the rally, “This is not just a military decision – it could be a death sentence for the most precious people in our lives.” She calls on US President Donald Trump to intervene to bring the war to an immediate end.
Polling indicates that a clear majority of Israelis want the fighting to stop at once to secure the release of the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza. Israeli officials believe about 20 of them are still alive.
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The decision to escalate the war has drawn strong criticism at home and abroad, including from some of Israel’s closest European allies. The full cabinet is expected to approve the plan by Sunday. Most of the hostages released so far were freed through diplomatic negotiations, but Israel has refused to continue implementing the agreements reached, bringing the release process to a halt.
In recent months, Tel Aviv has repeatedly seen rallies calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages through talks with Hamas. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s right-wing cabinet – which since the 7 October has carried out attacks in the Gaza strip, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iran – remains determined to pursue its aims through military means.
Some of Netanyahu’s hard-line allies in the ruling coalition have called for the complete capture of Gaza, but the army has warned that such a move could put the hostages at greater risk. Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right minister in the cabinet and a supporter of continuing the war, issued a statement on Saturday criticising Netanyahu and calling for the annexation of large areas of Gaza.
Netanyahu told Fox News on Thursday that the army intended to take control of all of Gaza, but Israel did not plan to hold on to the territory. In a statement on Friday, the prime minister’s office said the army would capture Gaza City but did not say whether the whole Gaza Strip would be occupied.
The Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 left around 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, about 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the assault on Gaza. In return, Israel has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, caused widespread destruction and imposed a blockade that has created famine, with many dying of starvation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel does not intend to occupy Gaza. Instead, he claimed the goal is to “free Gaza from Hamas.” His statement came after Israel’s security cabinet approved a controversial plan for military control over Gaza. Several Western countries, including Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the UK, opposed the move.
The five nations issued a joint statement rejecting further military escalation in Gaza. They expressed strong support for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Pakistan also condemned the Israeli plan, saying it amounts to a dangerous expansion of war against Palestinians. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the move an attack on peace in the region.
He added that Israel’s extended military actions will worsen the existing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Prime Minister urged the international community to intervene. He called for an immediate halt to Israeli aggression and demanded protection for innocent civilians. He also stressed the importance of ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Gaza’s people.
The Palestinian resistance group Hamas condemned the Israeli cabinet’s decision, calling it a “war crime.” Hamas warned that Israeli forces would pay a high price for trying to take control of Gaza. They stated that any occupation attempt would not be easy or without resistance. Hamas pledged to continue defending Gaza.
In his latest statement, Netanyahu said Israel plans to disarm Gaza and install a peaceful civilian administration. He added that neither the Palestinian Authority nor Hamas would be part of it. Netanyahu claimed this step would also help free Israeli hostages. However, global criticism remains strong, and tensions in the region continue to rise.
Reported by Euronews
