As Israel’s government moves to seize the entire Gaza Strip, furious protesters flood the streets, demanding a hostage deal — but Netanyahu’s war cabinet refuses to back down.
Hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police outside Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Monday, demanding an immediate deal with Hamas to free the remaining hostages still trapped in Gaza. The protests erupted just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved a controversial plan to take full control of the Gaza Strip — a move that could prolong the war indefinitely. Chants of “Bring them home now!” echoed through Jerusalem as families of hostages accused the government of abandoning negotiations in favor of military escalation.
The newly approved plan, confirmed by two Israeli officials, aims to defeat Hamas and secure the hostages’ release — but critics argue it will achieve neither. Instead, the strategy calls for forcibly displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from northern to southern Gaza, worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Miri Wolf, a protester, voiced the frustration of many: “What we couldn’t do in a year and a half, we won’t do now. The government just wants to occupy Gaza, rebuild settlements, and let soldiers and hostages die.”
Since Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas in mid-March, airstrikes have intensified, killing hundreds and expanding Israel’s control to nearly 50% of Gaza. Meanwhile, aid restrictions have pushed the enclave into famine-like conditions, with the UN warning of unprecedented suffering. The war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, has now claimed over 52,400 Palestinian lives — most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The hostage crisis remains a raw nerve in Israel. Of the 251 initially taken, 59 are still captive, with only 24 believed alive. Families accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing military objectives over their loved ones’ lives. “They’ll come back in black bags if this continues,” Wolf warned. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has lost 850 soldiers, deepening public skepticism about the war’s unwinnable nature.
With international condemnation mounting and protests growing, Netanyahu faces a pivotal choice: negotiate for the hostages or pursue a full Gaza takeover — a move that could isolate Israel globally. As the death toll rises, so does the anger on the streets, leaving Israel at a crossroads between vengeance and salvation.
Hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police outside Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Monday, demanding an immediate deal with Hamas to free the remaining hostages still trapped in Gaza. The protests erupted just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved a controversial plan to take full control of the Gaza Strip — a move that could prolong the war indefinitely. Chants of “Bring them home now!” echoed through Jerusalem as families of hostages accused the government of abandoning negotiations in favor of military escalation.
The newly approved plan, confirmed by two Israeli officials, aims to defeat Hamas and secure the hostages’ release — but critics argue it will achieve neither. Instead, the strategy calls for forcibly displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from northern to southern Gaza, worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Miri Wolf, a protester, voiced the frustration of many: “What we couldn’t do in a year and a half, we won’t do now. The government just wants to occupy Gaza, rebuild settlements, and let soldiers and hostages die.”
Since Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas in mid-March, airstrikes have intensified, killing hundreds and expanding Israel’s control to nearly 50% of Gaza. Meanwhile, aid restrictions have pushed the enclave into famine-like conditions, with the UN warning of unprecedented suffering. The war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, has now claimed over 52,400 Palestinian lives — most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The hostage crisis remains a raw nerve in Israel. Of the 251 initially taken, 59 are still captive, with only 24 believed alive. Families accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing military objectives over their loved ones’ lives. “They’ll come back in black bags if this continues,” Wolf warned. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has lost 850 soldiers, deepening public skepticism about the war’s unwinnable nature.
With international condemnation mounting and protests growing, Netanyahu faces a pivotal choice: negotiate for the hostages or pursue a full Gaza takeover — a move that could isolate Israel globally. As the death toll rises, so does the anger on the streets, leaving Israel at a crossroads between vengeance and salvation.
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