Nearly half a million Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv and other cities, calling for a swift resolution to secure the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, held by Hamas for 11 months.
The largest demonstration in Tel Aviv saw about 500,000 participants, as reported by a Sputnik correspondent. Protesters criticized the Israeli government for the plight of the hostages, several of whom have died.
These weekly protests centred near the government complex in Tel Aviv, involve significant security measures, including traffic blockades and police barriers to manage crowds and prevent disturbances.
During one of these rallies, Andrei Kozlov, a recently freed hostage, urged the government to act decisively to free those still captive.
Amidst ongoing negotiations in Cairo and Doha, which have shown little progress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged significant disagreements, particularly over the Philadelphi Corridor.
Hamas rejected new ceasefire proposals, insisting that Israel adhere to previously agreed terms, while the U.S. hinted that a nearly complete hostage exchange deal might require further compromises.
The death toll from the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza has reached a staggering 40,939, with the majority of victims being women and children, according to Palestinian medical sources.
Since the offensive began on October 7, the number of injured has also surged to 94,616, with thousands still trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
Medical sources, as reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, highlighted that Israeli forces committed four massacres against families in the Gaza Strip.
These attacks have left 61 people dead and 162 injured, with many victims still buried under debris. Rescue teams face immense difficulties reaching those in need due to continued bombardment and restricted access to certain areas.
