Local media reported that demonstrations were taking place in 50 locations across the country due to anger against the Netanyahu government.
Thousands of Israeli anti-government demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv and other parts of the country to demand an agreement to release dozens of prisoners held by the Hamas group in the Gaza Strip and to hold early elections. asked the government.
Demonstrators chanted slogans late Saturday to express anger at President Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which has failed to secure the release of prisoners after six months of fighting.
Israeli media reported scenes of clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators reportedly starting several fires that were quickly extinguished by police.
People shouted, “Police, police, who are you protecting?” and “Ben Gvir is a terrorist,” referring to Israel's Minister of National Security, Haaretz reported.
In addition to Tel Aviv, rallies are being held in about 50 other locations across the country, according to local media and protest organizers.
Protests like Saturday's have been a regular occurrence in Tel Aviv and other parts of the country since the early months of the war, which began on October 7.
The demonstrations come as ceasefire negotiations are scheduled to take place in Cairo, including talks on the release of prisoners of war. The talks are being mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.
Two protests join together
Al Jazeera's Imran Khan, reporting from Tel Aviv, said two separate rallies were combined on Saturday and the large participation of demonstrators was likely to put enormous pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“The 'Take Home Campaign' has joined anti-government protesters,” he said.
“The former is a hostage advocacy group. For six months, they have been demanding that the prime minister release Palestinian political prisoners and take back the hostages in return.
“Now they are saying enough is enough. Six months have passed and nothing has happened in terms of evacuating the majority of people,” the correspondent added.
“Every speech we heard tonight had two important messages: Prime Minister Netanyahu has failed, and the hostages must go home now.”
According to Israeli media, organizers of the anti-government demonstrations in Tel Aviv announced that 100,000 people took part in the demonstrations.
Israel declared war on Gaza after Hamas carried out a deadly attack on October 7 that left around 1,200 people dead and more than 200 captured. More than 100 people have since been freed, but the rest are still held captive in Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu launched Israel's relentless war on Gaza in response to the Hamas attack.
In the past six months, Israeli attacks on the area have killed at least 33,137 Palestinians and injured 75,815, and a lack of access to international aid has led to reports of famine and famine, particularly in the northern part of the enclave. has been done.
Israel announced on Saturday that its special forces had recovered the body of a slain prisoner in Gaza.
A new round of indirect ceasefire negotiations is scheduled to begin in Cairo on Sunday. CIA Director Bill Burns will attend the meeting along with his Egyptian counterpart. Representatives from Hamas will also be present, the group announced on Saturday. Israel has not yet announced whether it will send a delegation to the talks.
