Protesters Rally in Tel Aviv, Urge Government to Strike Deal

Large protests continued in Tel Aviv for the third night on Tuesday, as hundreds of demonstrators demanded the government reach a ceasefire agreement to bring back the remaining hostages held in Gaza. The protests erupted after the Israeli military revealed that six hostages had been killed in Gaza just as troops were closing in on their location. Many Israelis blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the rising number of hostage deaths and are pressing for a ceasefire to secure the release of those still in captivity.

At the same time, the U.S. is working with Egypt and Qatar on a new proposal for a ceasefire and hostage deal, while the United Nations Security Council is set to meet on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing war.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it had killed Ahmed Fozi Wadia, a Hamas militant commander, who had appeared in a widely viewed video from the October 7 attack. In the video, Wadia was seen drinking from a bottle of cola in front of two wounded children after their father was killed in a grenade attack. Israeli forces targeted and killed Wadia, along with seven other militants, in an airstrike on a Hamas compound in Gaza City on Saturday.

Hamas militants launched their attack on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages, sparking the ongoing war in Gaza, which has resulted in over 40,000 deaths according to Gaza health officials.

### Latest Developments:

– **U.S. Charges Hamas Leader:** The U.S. Justice Department announced charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior militants for their role in the October 7 attack. The charges include conspiracy to support a terrorist organization, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction.

– **Former Israeli Officials Criticize Netanyahu:** Former members of Netanyahu’s war cabinet, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, rejected Netanyahu’s claim that Israel must retain control over Gaza’s border with Egypt. They emphasized that the priority should be bringing the hostages home safely, even if it means making concessions.

– **Protests in Tel Aviv Continue:** Demonstrators gathered for a third night in central Tel Aviv, urging the government to secure a ceasefire to save the hostages. The protests intensified after the military reported the deaths of six hostages. Many protesters held Israeli flags, demanding urgent action to rescue the remaining captives.

– **White House Seeks New Ceasefire Deal:** The White House is working on a new ceasefire and hostage deal proposal with Egypt and Qatar. National Security spokesperson John Kirby highlighted the urgency of the situation, following the execution of six hostages by Hamas.

– **UN Security Council to Discuss War:** The UN Security Council will meet on Wednesday to address the Israel-Hamas conflict and the hostage crisis in Gaza, following a request by Israel for an official discussion on the hostages.

– **Tensions Between Israel and Hezbollah:** Violence continues along the Israel-Lebanon border, with exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. The conflict has resulted in numerous deaths on both sides and the displacement of tens of thousands of people.

The situation remains fluid as international efforts continue to secure a ceasefire and resolve the hostage crisis.