Israelis attend rallies demanding action to free hostages, end war

Thousands of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to show solidarity with hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip for nearly two years and to put pressure on the Israeli government to end the war.

According to organizers, about 350,000 people filled Hostage Square in central Tel Aviv demanding both the release of the hostages and an end to the Gaza conflict.

Earlier in the day, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum had called for various protest actions under the slogan “Israel stands together.” Demonstrations and road blockades were reported across the country.

A major highway near Tel Aviv was blocked, while protesters burned tyres on a road north of the coastal city, according to a dpa photojournalist.

Demonstrators accuse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political reasons. His far-right coalition partners, on whom his political survival depends, oppose a ceasefire.

In a statement released during the evening rally, the organizers said: “More than 350,000 people at the rally … sent a clear message: The government must sign the agreement currently on the table. The entire nation demands an end to the war and the return of all hostages.”

Just over a week ago, hundreds of thousands of Israelis joined similar mass protests in solidarity with the hostages. A total of 50 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Hamas announced recently that it has agreed to a new proposal for a ceasefire put forward by Egypt and Qatar, who are mediating the conflict.

According to media reports, this is a revised version of a previously negotiated proposal by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

The plan includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which 10 living hostages would initially be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli opposition leader, Yair Lapid, urged the right-wing religious government to conclude an agreement with Hamas to end the war and secure the release of the remaining hostages.