Tel Aviv rallies call for end to war and hostage release

Rallies across Israel push for a ceasefire and a deal to free hostages as families appeal to leaders and authorities face street confrontations.

Tel Aviv crowds call for end of war and release of hostages

Hundreds of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Sunday night, marking a national day of protests and strikes aimed at pressuring the government to end the Gaza war and secure the release of hostages. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum put the Tel Aviv turnout at more than half a million, while protests across the country drew as many as a million participants according to organizers. Roads were blocked in major cities as demonstrators pressed for a comprehensive peace and hostage deals, even as police moved to reopen streets and restore traffic.

The rally featured emotional appeals from families of the captives. Fathers spoke of their sons in captivity, accusing leaders of sacrificing loved ones for political goals. A video shown at the event included messages from hostages and relatives, intensifying the sense of urgency surrounding negotiations. Separately, some released hostages addressed U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to push for an end to the war and for safe returns. Protests also spread to Jerusalem, Haifa and other towns, reflecting wide public pressure on a government already facing internal divisions over strategy in Gaza.

Security and political leaders were in attendance or nearby, including former defense minister Yoav Gallant and President Isaac Herzog. While Netanyahu has framed discussions as requiring a comprehensive and unconditional hostage release, reports aired during the day suggested a possible shift toward phased or partial deals under certain conditions. The mixed signals come as negotiators seek ways to secure a halt to fighting while securing living hostages and preventing renewed escalation.

The size of the turnout underscores a durable public appetite for a clear path to ending the Gaza war and rescuing hostages, a stance that can constrain political space for hardline postures. By foregrounding families and personal stories, the protests transform foreign policy into a domestic accountability issue, pressuring leaders to show tangible progress rather than procedural rhetoric. At the same time, the already fragile consensus in Israeli politics faces new stress from competing views on how to balance security needs with urgent humanitarian and diplomatic goals.

The weekend also highlights a broader strategic moment. If reports of openness to partial deals gain traction, Netanyahu may face a choice between preserving a hardline stance and accepting a phased arrangement that could secure some hostages home and ease military pressures. The involvement of international figures, including Trump, adds a new diplomatic layer, but it could also complicate decisions by creating expectations that are hard to meet. The rift within hostage families between those backing protests and those urging restraint adds another layer of complexity that could influence how the government negotiates and how public sentiment shifts in the weeks ahead.

Highlights

The coming weeks will test whether public passion translates into durable policy changes or fades as talks continue.