Pressure mounts on Netanyahu as Israelis protest, demand ceasefire with Hamas, captives’ return
Consequently, widespread discontent is galvanizing into a large-scale protest, with tens of thousands anticipated to join.
Israelis are growing increasingly restless as the conflict with Hamas continues unabated, resulting in mounting casualties.
Consequently, widespread discontent is galvanizing into a large-scale protest, with tens of thousands anticipated to join.
Demonstrators primarily fault Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to secure a ceasefire during the nearly 11-month war, AP News reports.
On Sunday evening, a sea of grieving and infuriated Israelis poured onto the streets, their emotions boiling over after the devastating discovery of six additional hostages brutally slain in Gaza.
With voices raised in unison, the protesters thundered a resolute chant of “Now! Now!”, imploring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seize the moment and broker an immediate ceasefire with Hamas, thereby ensuring the safe return of the remaining captives.
Amplifying the public outcry, Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, declared a comprehensive general strike for Monday, marking the nation’s first such collective action since the conflict’s inception on October 7.
The Israeli army faces significant hurdles in rescuing dozens of hostages still held by Hamas, underscoring the necessity of a negotiated deal for their release.
Hamas has offered to free the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners, including notable militants.
This proposal follows the harrowing seizure of hostages, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, at a music festival in southern Israel.
It was earlier on Sunday reported that Israel’s military had confirmed the recovery of six bodies, including that of a dual US national, from a tunnel in southern Gaza, as the country’s relentless and deadly 11-month assault on the Palestinian territory persists.
The ongoing conflict, precipitated by a Hamas-led attack that claimed 1,100 lives, has inflicted unimaginable hardship on Gaza’s population, with a staggering 40,000 Palestinian fatalities reported since October 7.
The coastal enclave has been reduced to rubble due to incessant bombardment, amidst accusations that Israel is deliberately stalling ceasefire negotiations aimed at securing the release of approximately 250 captives.
The Israeli Defense Forces on Sunday identified the deceased persons in a post on its X handle, saying, “The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino were found and recovered yesterday.
“They were all taken hostage on October 7 and were murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization while in captivity in Gaza.
“The IDF and ISA send their heartfelt condolences to the families. Israeli security forces are operating with all means to bring home all the hostages as fast as possible.”
Regarding the recovery of the bodies of the six hostages, IDF International Spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, said, “Hamas still holds 101 hostages in Gaza, including women, children, and the elderly. We will not stop until every hostage is brought home.”
