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Protests Across Israel as Calls for Cease-Fire Intensify Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict
Israeli protesters demand Netanyahu's resignation and a cease-fire in Gaza, as efforts to broker a truce intensify amid ongoing conflict.
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli protesters took to highways nationwide on Sunday, marking nine months since the start of the Gaza war, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation and urging for a cease-fire to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The demonstrations coincided with renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at brokering a truce, boosted by Hamas recently dropping a key demand for an Israeli commitment to end hostilities. However, Hamas insists on guarantees of a permanent cease-fire from mediators, while Netanyahu asserts Israel's resolve to continue until Hamas' military and governance capabilities are dismantled.
Sunday’s protests, dubbed the “Day of Disruption,” commenced at 6:29 a.m., mirroring the timing of Hamas' initial rocket launch on October 7, which triggered the conflict. Protesters obstructed major roadways and rallied outside government ministers' residences.
Near Gaza's border, Israeli demonstrators released 1,500 black and yellow balloons symbolizing victims killed and abducted during the conflict. Hannah Golan, a participant, criticized the government's handling of the crisis, lamenting a “devastating abandonment of our communities.”
The war's toll, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, includes over 38,000 Palestinians killed amid Israeli military operations, which have also displaced Gaza's 2.3 million residents multiple times. New evacuation orders for parts of Gaza City were issued by Israel on Sunday.
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The conflict has also resulted in the detainment of thousands of Palestinians, with reports of mistreatment and torture emerging from detention facilities. The international community, led by the United States, has pushed for a phased cease-fire proposal, which Hamas' recent concession may facilitate.
In parallel, the Lebanese group Hezbollah launched projectiles towards northern Israel, escalating tensions further. The militant group pledged to halt attacks pending a Gaza cease-fire.
Efforts by U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators have intensified, aiming to secure a temporary truce and facilitate the release of hostages. Despite these efforts, residents of Gaza, such as Heba Radi, remain skeptical of imminent peace, describing the cease-fire as a "distant dream" after enduring months of hardship.
