Massive Protests Erupt Across Israel Demanding End to Gaza War and Hostage Release
Massive Protests Erupt Across Israel Demanding End to Gaza War and Hostage Release

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in a massive nationwide protest, demanding an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza and a deal to secure the release of captives held in the besieged enclave. The demonstrations, which saw significant turnout, particularly in Tel Aviv, come as the military intensifies operations in Gaza City, prompting further displacement of Palestinians.
Police responded to the protests with dozens of arrests and the deployment of water cannons against demonstrators who gathered yesterday. Reports indicate over 300,000 participants in Tel Aviv alone, making it one of the largest such gatherings since the outcry following the discovery of six deceased captives last September.
In a coordinated national day of action, Israeli schools, businesses, and public transport were shut down. Major unions, including those representing lawyers, doctors, and the business forum, along with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, confirmed their participation in the strike. Restaurants and cafes also closed their doors, while prominent Israeli artists, celebrities, and athletes voiced their support and joined the movement.
Protesters, fearing for the lives of the estimated 50 remaining captives in Gaza—only about 20 of whom are believed to be alive—chanted slogans like “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages.” Former captive Arbel Yehoud emphasized in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square” that military pressure only endangers the captives, asserting, “The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games.”
These widespread rallies follow just days after Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to advance on Gaza City, nearly two years into a devastating conflict that has left much of the Gaza Strip’s population on the brink of famine and significantly increased Israel’s international isolation.
Demonstrators unfurled a giant Israeli flag adorned with the faces of the captives and blocked major roads, including the vital highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where tires were set alight, causing traffic standstill. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing the captives’ relatives, declared a nationwide strike with a clear message: “We will shut down the country today with one clear call: Bring back the 50 hostages, end the war,” vowing to escalate their campaign with a protest tent near the Gaza border.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant were among the prominent figures who joined the strike. Even Israeli Hollywood actress Gal Gadot visited “Hostage Square” to meet with relatives, offering comfort and support. Presidents of Israeli universities also attended, reiterating their collective demand for the Netanyahu government to finalize a ceasefire and captive swap deal.
While President Isaac Herzog expressed support for the captives’ return, urging international pressure on Hamas, senior government figures, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Culture Minister Miki Zohar, condemned the protests as harmful and playing into Hamas’s hands. Benny Gantz, an opposition leader, criticized the government for attacking the families while bearing responsibility for the captivity of their children.
Police reinforced their presence nationwide, warning against public order disturbances. Demonstrations also extended to areas near the Gaza border, including Be’eri, a kibbutz severely impacted during the October 2023 attack that triggered the ongoing conflict. The war has resulted in nearly 62,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly women and children, and has been labeled a genocide by multiple rights groups.
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