Israel faces internal uproar amid demands for Netanyahu’s resignation
On Saturday evening across Israel, thousands of citizens gathered for significant protests. They are calling for the resignation of the current government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who the demonstrators accuse of leading the nation toward total collapse.
In the crowded streets of Tel Aviv, families of hostages were also present. They held photographs of their loved ones currently held by Hamas.
Netanyahu accused of leading Israel to total collapse
A statement from the families of hostages, as reported by Israeli media, claims: "As long as Netanyahu stays in power, the hostages will remain in captivity... Netanyahu is leading the country to total collapse."
Naama Weinberg, whose cousin was taken by Hamas in an attack on Israel on October 7, spoke at a rally in Tel Aviv, citing a video from Hamas. This video suggests that another Israeli hostage has passed away.
Quoted by Reuters, Weinberg pleaded: "Soon, even those who have survived until now will no longer be alive. They need to be rescued immediately.
Clashes with the police ensued
A few protesters escalated their actions by blocking the city's main highway. Clashes broke out with the police, who responded with water cannons.
As per the Times of Israel, several protestors were detained.
Out of 252 individuals kidnapped on October 7, according to Israeli figures, 128 still remain in the Gaza Strip. An Israeli investigative commission has confirmed at least 36 hostages as deceased.
In the conflict between Israel and Hamas, around 35,000 Palestinians are estimated to have died. At least 90 percent of Gaza Strip residents have had to evacuate their homes.
Netanyahu remains unyielding
The Israeli military continues its "limited" and "precise" operations against Hamas in Rafah, at the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, along the border with Egypt, as announced by its spokesman, Daniel Hagari, from Saturday into Sunday night.
Hagari emphasized that the operation in Rafah was aimed at securing a "lasting defeat" of Hamas and the release of hostages. He assured that Israel's battle is with Hamas, "not against the people of the Gaza Strip".
Israel disregards calls for ceasefire
Since the conflict's onset in October 2023 between Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, about 1.4 million of the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip have sought refuge in Rafah.
The international community has expressed concern that continued operations in this area will result in more civilian casualties and exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian region.
