Over 15,000 individuals have demonstrated in Israel, demanding an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip and for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a resolution for the release of the remaining hostages.
Families and supporters of the hostages currently held by Hamas congregated in Paris Square, Jerusalem, while further gatherings occurred in Tel Aviv.
Among the 48 captives currently detained in Gaza, around 20 are presumed to be alive.
Israel has not yet officially responded to a proposed agreement for the release of certain captives, but has previously insisted on the return of all hostages in any arrangement. Netanyahu asserts that complete triumph over Hamas will facilitate the return of the hostages.
Hamas abducted 251 hostages to Gaza following their assault in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in about 1,200 fatalities.
Israel initiated a substantial retaliatory campaign against Hamas, resulting in the deaths of at least 64,368 Palestinians, as reported by the Hamas-operated health ministry. The United Nations regards the statistics as credible, notwithstanding Israel’s objections.
Protests in Israel and worldwide calls from some allies to cease the military offensive in Gaza have been increasing consistently.
All indications suggest that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are gearing up to escalate the conflict, as the Netanyahu administration pledges to achieve complete dominance over the Gaza Strip and ultimately vanquish Hamas.
On Saturday night, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem experienced significant rallies in recent months advocating for the release of remaining hostages and the cessation of hostilities.
In proximity to Netanyahu’s residence, numerous speakers urged Israel’s prime minister to negotiate a settlement with Hamas to ensure the safe return of their relatives, nearly two years following their kidnapping.
Among the several family members expressing anger towards Netanyahu was the mother of Matan Angrest, an IDF soldier detained in Gaza.
“This does not constitute a threat, Mr. Prime Minister.” “If something occurs, you will bear the consequences – this is a mother’s admonition,” exclaimed Anat Angrest, as reported by the Times of Israel.
A multitude of demonstrators asserts that the escalation of the conflict will exacerbate the peril faced by the hostages.
If Netanyahu was, in fact, in his residence in Jerusalem, the pleas from parents and supporters seem to be disregarded.
The beleaguered yet steadfast prime minister of Israel has exhibited no indication of concluding the conflict, despite numerous former military leaders asserting that the IDF has likely maximized its military objectives in Gaza, without further jeopardizing the lives of hostages and worsening the dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
Numerous active-duty army generals allegedly share this perspective; yet, they are currently being instructed by their leadership to prepare for a significant land offensive to seize Gaza City and the remainder of the war-affected Palestinian enclave.
Israel Katz, Netanyahu’s Defence Minister, has consistently utilized social media in recent days to share footage depicting high-rise structures in Gaza City being demolished, accompanied by the unequivocal message that this is merely the beginning.
Israel defends the demolition of Gaza’s most notable structures, asserting they serve as “command and control centres” for Hamas.
It refutes allegations of executing a “scorched-earth” strategy—systematically demolishing public structures and residences to render Gaza virtually uninhabitable.
Katz previously vowed to “open the gates of hell” when Israel advised Gaza City’s inhabitants to evacuate to the designated “humanitarian enclave” of al-Mawasi to the south.
No location in Gaza can genuinely be deemed “safe,” and al-Mawasi has been consistently subjected to Israeli airstrikes, resulting in numerous fatalities, including several children, in the past week.
In this context, numerous supporters of Israel have consistently urged a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and an immediate resumption of peace discussions.
“We are profoundly troubled by the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which is why we reiterate our demands for Israel to cease the military offensive,” stated Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Rasmussen, during his visit to Jerusalem on Sunday.
His Israeli colleague, Gideon Sa’ar, courteously disregarded that message, quietly cautioning that the aim of certain European governments to recognize Palestinian statehood imminently would be detrimental and could yield severe repercussions.
In response to a reporter’s inquiry regarding the Netanyahu government’s position on contentious proposals to annex the Occupied Palestinian West Bank, Sa’ar stated: “We have engaged in discussions on this matter with the prime minister, and a decision will be forthcoming.” I need not provide further explanation.
The foreign minister stated that he had recently conversed with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the issue, alongside other reports referencing US officials, including Mike Huckabee, the prominent US ambassador to Israel, who suggested that the Trump administration would not dictate Israel’s actions should it decide to assert sovereignty over a significant portion of the West Bank.
Should that occur, tensions in an already fragmented region will escalate significantly.
The death toll in Gaza continues to escalate as Israel’s stance becomes more rigid.
Local officials report that at least 87 individuals were killed in airstrikes across Gaza in the past 24 hours.
The Gaza health ministry reported that five individuals, including three children, died during the same period due to starvation and malnutrition.
In this context, Netanyahu entrenches himself firmly.
“If I must choose between triumph over our adversaries and malevolent propaganda directed at us, I opt for triumph,” stated the prime minister on Sunday, emphasizing that Israeli forces were “intensifying operations” in and around Gaza City.
