Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv last Saturday, demanding the return of captives held in Gaza, as well as early elections to overthrow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The demonstrators marched through Habima Square, with some holding signs criticizing Netanyahu under slogans like “Face of evil” and “Elections now.”
Protests also took place in Haifa and outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem, where demonstrators called for the return of the captives.
Avi Lulu, the father of captured soldier Alon Shameriz—whom the Israeli forces declared killed “by mistake” in Gaza—said that Netanyahu’s government is heading towards a disaster.
“The way things are going now, all the hostages will die. There is still time to free them,” Lulu stated.
Escalating Criticism
Netanyahu’s ruling coalition faces growing criticism from political opponents over its handling of the war and the captives issue.
Protester Ya’el Neve said that Israel urgently needs a new government to correct the course.
A 50-year-old demonstrator also highlighted the substantial risk posed to Israel by “messianic elements within our government,” while distributing flyers calling for the return of the detainees.
“The elimination of Hamas will not be achieved through war and the escalation of violence,” she added.
Dor Endov, a lawyer among the protesters, stated that the war must be stopped and the captives returned, adding that Netanyahu “really wants this war to continue.”
“We lost the war on October 7 when these people were taken. We want our families and the kidnapped to return home,” Endov emphasized.
Severe Pressure
Netanyahu faces intense pressure to recover the captives taken on October 7, subsequently transferred to Gaza where Israel wages a devastating war on the territory it claims targets the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and other Palestinian factions.
Out of approximately 250 detainees, about 100 were released in a temporary humanitarian truce at the end of last November, while 132 remain in Gaza. Of these, 27 captives died without the return of their bodies, according to Israeli data.
Israeli protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv, holding Netanyahu responsible for the events of October 7 and the fate of the captives in Gaza. BorderSide, reporter Fatima Khmaisy provides us with the scene. #GazaWar #News
— Al Jazeera Channel (@AJArabic) January 20, 2024
