Protests surge as hostage deal dominates Israel Gaza talks

Israeli police used water cannons and arrested dozens as thousands demonstrated for a hostage deal and an end to the Gaza war.

Israel faces nationwide protests over Gaza war

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday, organized by families of hostages calling for a deal to free all captives and end the fighting. A one day general strike blocked roads and closed businesses while police in Tel Aviv and other cities carried out 38 arrests. Protesters gathered outside political and military sites, and some venues closed in solidarity.

In Gaza, hospitals reported at least 17 aid seekers killed on Sunday and more than 61,900 people killed in the conflict, according to Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry says roughly half of the dead are women and children. Israel disputes the numbers but has not provided its own tally. Officials warn a new Israeli offensive could deepen a humanitarian crisis and displacement, even as aid deliveries resume only partially after a March blockade. Prime Minister Netanyahu argues ending the war requires defeating Hamas, a stance that has sustained coalition tensions and raised questions about the path to a ceasefire.

The Sunday protests reveal rising public pressure on a hard line in Israeli politics while exposing fragility inside the governing coalition. Public anger is fuelling calls for a rapid hostage deal, even as leaders warn against stepping back from a large Gaza offensive. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza compounds the risk of political missteps, and domestic pressure could shape the pace and terms of any deal. The episode illustrates how wartime politics can collide with humanitarian imperatives and alter negotiation dynamics.

Highlights

The coming weeks will test how far public opinion can move a rutting policy in wartime.