Over 100,000 protesters gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to escalate the Gaza war. Organisers said the demonstration was one of the largest in recent months, with attendees demanding an immediate end to the military campaign and the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza.
The protest came a day after the Israeli security cabinet approved expanding operations to seize Gaza City, a move that has drawn sharp criticism at home and abroad. Lishay Miran Lavi, wife of hostage Omri Miran, told the rally: 'This isn't just a military decision. It could be a death sentence for the people we love most.' She pleaded with US President Donald Trump to intervene to end the war.
Public opinion polls show an overwhelming majority of Israelis favour ending the war to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages, of whom about 20 are believed to be alive. Talks toward a ceasefire collapsed in July, and most freed hostages have been released through diplomatic negotiations.
Protesters waved Israeli flags and carried placards with images of hostages, while some directed anger at the government or urged Trump to stop Netanyahu. Rami Dar, a 69-year-old retiree, said: 'They are fanatic. They are doing things against the interests of the country.' Yana, 45, who attended with her family, questioned the war's effectiveness: 'After two years of fighting there has been no success.'
The war began with Hamas's attack on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Since then, more than 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza, while the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 61,000, according to Gaza's health ministry. Far-right coalition allies have pushed for a total takeover of Gaza, but the military has warned this could endanger the hostages.
Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel intends to take control of all Gaza but does not want to keep the territory. Tal, a 55-year-old teacher at the protest, called the expansion 'terrible' and said: 'We don't have anything to do there. It's not ours.'
