Israel faces mass protests over Gaza City plan

Thousands gather in Tel Aviv and other cities to press for a ceasefire and hostage deal ahead of a planned Gaza City operation.

Israel Faces Mass Protests Over Gaza City Takeover Plan

Ten of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv and other cities on Saturday evening, blocking parts of the Ayalon highway and lighting bonfires as they urged a ceasefire and a comprehensive hostage deal before Israel moves to seize Gaza City. The protests followed a cabinet decision to take the city, despite military warnings that such an operation could endanger hostages and worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum led the actions, calling on decision makers to negotiate rather than escalate.

In parallel, crowds at the IDF headquarters and elsewhere pressed for soldiers to refuse participation in expanded fighting. The labor union Histadrut signaled caution about a general strike, citing legal and political hurdles, while some participants urged broad civic action. The day also featured personal testimonies from families of hostages, highlighting the human cost of the war and the public pressure to seek a negotiated end to the conflict.

The rallies reveal a deep split between political leadership and a broad segment of the public that includes hostage families and long time protesters. Public pressure and the moral weight of the hostage crisis are shaping how the government weighs risk and timing. The push for a ceasefire and hostage release underscores a fear that a large military operation could widen the conflict and deepen humanitarian harm. At the same time, talk of renewed diplomacy with Hamas shows that political calculations remain unsettled, with negotiators and mediators watching for a potential, limited path to de escalate the war even as street demonstrations intensify.

Highlights

The protest movement tests how a democracy balances security goals with humanitarian concerns.