Thousands of Israelis take to the streets in massive protests, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging their government to seek peaceful solutions.
After the discovery of six deceased captives in Gaza, an angry and grieving Israeli crowd consisting of tens of thousands took to the streets.
On Sunday evening, the masses chanted “Now! Now!” as they called upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Hamas for the safe return of those still held captive.
It was the biggest demonstration of anger witnessed in 11 months of conflict, with many feeling that it could mark a significant turning point. Despite this optimism, there still exists a deep-seated division within the country among its citizens.
The Histadrut, Israel’s biggest labor federation, has decided to intensify its action by declaring a nationwide strike on Monday. Its objective is to bring about the closure or disruption of key sectors of the economy such as banking services, healthcare facilities and even the country’s primary airport.
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The ceasefire talks have been ongoing for several months, and Netanyahu is often criticized for not attaining an agreement that a majority of Israelis support according to public opinion polls.
According to reports, three out of the six hostages who were discovered deceased (one being an Israeli American) had been slated for release during the initial stage of a ceasefire arrangement that was deliberated in July. This information sparked intense anger and exasperation amongst demonstrators.
All six captives were reported to have been killed by the military shortly before Israeli forces arrived.
“The stalled negotiations are to be blamed on Hamas,” stated Netanyahu, who further added that someone “who resorts to hostage killings clearly doesn’t aim for a peaceful agreement.”
In exchange for putting an end to the war and withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza, Hamas proposed releasing prisoners who have been held captive. This includes several notable members of Gaza’s armed groups among a large number of Palestinian detainees.
According to high-ranking security officials, the current pressure exerted upon Hamas has resulted in advantageous circumstances for reaching a ceasefire agreement. The army recognizes the challenges of executing rescue missions and admits that an accord is the sole viable method for ensuring safe return of numerous hostages.
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