Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since October 2023.
The rally was the culmination of a day of nationwide protests and a general strike to pressure the government to halt the military campaign.
"Bring them all home! Stop the war!" shouted the vast crowd which had converged on the so-called Hostage Square in Tel Aviv plaza — a focal point for protesters throughout the war.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, the initiator of the day of protest, estimated that about 500,000 people joined the evening demonstration in Tel Aviv — a figure not confirmed by the police.
"We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours — our children," said Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading figure of the protest movement.
"The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war," she told the crowd.
Demonstrators have called for an end to the war in Gaza at widespread protests in Israel. Source: AP / Ohad Zwigenberg
"This is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages," demonstrator Ofir Penso, 50, said.
Netanyahu and Smotrich criticise protests
The protests come more than a week after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, 22 months into a war that has created a dire humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group vowed that protesters would "shut down the country" with the goal of bringing back the hostages and ending the war.
Throughout the country, demonstrators blocked traffic arteries, set tyres on fire and clashed with the police. More than 30 protesters were arrested, law enforcement said.
The protests came following the Israeli government's decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip. Source: AP / Maya Levin
A shop assistant in the city centre said the owner supported the campaign for the hostages' return but chose not to participate in the strike.
"Everyone is helping the way they can," she said, declining to give her name.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the protesters, saying their actions "not only harden Hamas's position and draw out the release of our hostages, but also ensure that the horrors of October 7 will reoccur".
Egypt said in recent days mediators were leading a renewed push to secure a 60-day truce deal that includes hostages being released, after the last round of talks in Qatar ended without a breakthrough.
Some Israeli government members who oppose any deal with Hamas also criticised the demonstrations.
Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich decried "a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas" and calls for "surrender".
However, Benny Gantz, an opposition leader, condemned the government for "attacking the families of the hostages" while "bearing responsibility for the captivity of their children by Hamas for nearly two years".
