Thousands of demonstrators marched across Israel against the government’s plan to escalate its military action in Gaza. On Friday, Israel’s security cabinet approved measures to end the conflict, including taking control over the Gaza Strip, with the military preparing to seize Gaza City. Protesters, among them relatives of 50 hostages in Gaza, some believed to still be alive, worried the plan endangers hostages’ lives and pushed for their release. Israeli leaders dismissed the criticism, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting it would aid in freeing hostages.
A group representing the hostages’ families expressed on X that intensifying the conflict risks both hostages and soldiers, which the Israeli public cannot accept. A protester, Shakha, emphasized the urgency of ending the war for the hostages’ safe return. Another protester, ex-soldier Max Kresch, stated he now refuses to serve, along with over 350 soldiers, opposing Netanyahu’s policy for risking hostages and Palestinians in Gaza. The Times of Israel reported calls from families and soldiers at a Tel Aviv rally urging others to resist service in the expanded operation to protect hostages.
Amid the demonstrations, Tel Aviv’s Ayalon Highway was obstructed with bonfires, resulting in the arrest of three suspects by police. Netanyahu faced pushback from Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, who called a full Gaza occupation a potential trap. Many Israelis reportedly prefer a hostage-release deal with Hamas. Netanyahu shared with Fox News plans for a transitional occupation of Gaza, to later hand over control to Arab forces, reiterating on X the goal to free Gaza from Hamas.
The Israeli security cabinet’s plan outlined five principles: disarming Hamas, freeing all hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, securing the territory, and establishing a non-Hamas administration. A UN official warned a total takeover of Gaza City could have severe consequences for civilians and hostages. International leaders and UN bodies urged Israel, which controls Gaza’s supplies, to permit more humanitarian aid amid reported hunger-related deaths, highlighting recent fatalities of two children among five others. The Israeli military offensive started post-Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which led to 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 kidnappings. Since then, 61,430 Gaza residents reportedly died from Israeli actions, according to the health ministry.