Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, in one of the largest protests in Israel since the conflict began in October 2023.
The rally, centred on Hostage Square, was the culmination of a day of nationwide protests and a general strike intended to pressure the government to halt the military campaign. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum estimated that around 500,000 people attended, though police did not confirm the figure. Protesters chanted “Bring them all home! Stop the war!”
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading figure in the protest movement, said: “We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours – our children. The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war.” National media broadcast a video message from Matan Zangauker, filmed by Hamas and found in Gaza by the army, in which he appeared weak and emaciated.
Demonstrator Ofir Penso told AFP: “This is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages.” The protests come after Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, 22 months into a war that has created a severe humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
Across Israel, protesters blocked roads, set tyres on fire and clashed with police, resulting in more than 30 arrests. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the protesters, claiming their actions “not only harden Hamas’s position and draw out the release of our hostages, but also ensure that the horrors of 7 October will reoccur”. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich denounced the demonstrations as “perverse and harmful”, while opposition leader Benny Gantz condemned the government for “attacking the families of the hostages” while bearing responsibility for their captivity.
Egypt said mediators were pushing for a 60-day truce deal including hostage releases, after the last round of talks in Qatar ended without a breakthrough. Gaza’s health ministry reports at least 61,000 Palestinians killed in the offensive, most of them civilians, not including thousands believed buried under rubble or indirectly killed.
