On Sunday, Israeli police employed water cannons and made multiple arrests during intense protests as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, voicing their demands for a deal to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. The one-day national strike aimed to disrupt daily activities across the country, leading to blocked roads and shuttered businesses. Families of hostages orchestrated these demonstrations in response to rising frustration over plans for a new military offensive in densely populated areas of Gaza, sparking fears that such actions could further jeopardize the lives of the remaining hostages.
Currently, there are still fifty hostages believed to be held, with twenty confirmed to be alive. Protesters chanted, “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages,” marking one of the most significant protests in the 22 months since the outbreak of conflict. Many former Israeli military and intelligence leaders have joined the call for a resolution, urging the government to prioritize hostages' safety over military strategies.
Demonstrators gathered outside key locations including the residences of politicians and military headquarters, blocking major highways and lighting bonfires in protest. Some restaurants and theaters even closed their doors in solidarity. The police reported that at least 38 individuals were arrested during the unrest. Former hostage Arbel Yehoud, whose boyfriend Ariel Cunio is still held by Hamas, stated, “The only way to bring (hostages) back is through a deal, all at once, without games.”
The Israeli government remains divided over how to handle the ongoing crisis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure as he navigates his coalition's internal dynamics. Netanyahu asserted that calls for an end to the conflict without defeating Hamas only serve to embolden the group and delay the release of hostages. He referenced the tragic events of October 7, 2023, when a Hamas-led attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and triggered the current war.
Amidst the protests, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich condemned the demonstrations, labeling them as “a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas’ hands.” His remarks reflect the concerns within the government regarding the potential repercussions of negotiating with Hamas and the implications for Israel’s security.
In a devastating turn of events, hospitals and witnesses in Gaza reported that Israeli forces killed at least 17 aid-seekers on Sunday, including nine individuals waiting for U.N. aid trucks near the Morag corridor. Eyewitness Hamza Asfour detailed the chaos, describing how Israeli snipers initially fired to disperse crowds before targeting individuals from a distance. “It’s either to take this risk or wait and see my family die of starvation,” he lamented.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates main distribution points for aid, claimed that there was no gunfire near its locations, which are situated in military-controlled areas. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted the civilian population, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 61,900 casualties since the war began, a figure that remains disputed by Israeli authorities.
As speculation grows about the timing of a new military offensive in Gaza City and surrounding regions, Netanyahu's government has indicated plans to forcibly evacuate residents from combat zones to designated “safe zones” in southern Gaza. However, many residents, weary from the ongoing violence, are skeptical, asserting that there are “no safe places” left in Gaza. Raghda Abu Dhaher, displaced ten times during the conflict, remarked that there is no humanitarian zone available for refuge.
In a related development, Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen's capital, escalating tensions with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Reports indicate that the strikes were in response to missile attacks aimed at Israel. While Israel has successfully intercepted the majority of missiles, the ongoing conflict raises significant regional security concerns.
As the situation continues to evolve, the plight of hostages and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remain at the forefront of international attention, prompting urgent calls for diplomatic solutions and humanitarian aid efforts.
