Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Israeli cities on Saturday, demonstrating against the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Saturday's rally by hostage families in central Tel Aviv was held to commemorate International Women's Day the previous day.
Relatives of female hostages who were victims of Hamas violence and a young woman released in November spoke at the rally.
Hundreds of meters away, thousands of people demonstrated against Netanyahu's government. According to Israeli media, police attempted to block the city's highway near the Ministry of Defense headquarters and stopped them. A total of 16 demonstrators were arrested.
Government opponents have accused Netanyahu of pursuing misguided policies that only serve his own interests, a move that echoed the October 7 attack by Hamas and other extremist groups in southern Israel. This means that they were not ready.
Hundreds of people demonstrated in front of the president on Saturday. Isaac HerzogHis residence in Jerusalem. They also demanded the release of the hostages.
According to Israeli estimates, 134 hostages, including about 20 women, remain in the hands of terrorists. According to Israeli intelligence, only about 100 of the hostages are believed to be alive.
In Caesarea, near Tel Aviv, a large crowd gathered in front of Prime Minister Netanyahu's private residence.
One of the speakers, a former general, referred to the prime minister and said, “Your policy is aimed at one thing and one thing only, and that is to stay in power at all costs.War serves your purpose perfectly.'' It's a thing,” he said.
Indirect negotiations on a temporary ceasefire and further hostage releases are currently stalled.
