Protests erupt across Israel demanding end to Gaza war and hostage deal

Thousands of demonstrators rallied across Israel on Sunday, calling for an immediate end to the ongoing war in Gaza and pressing the government to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas. The protests come as the Israeli military signals preparations for a new offensive into Gaza City, a move that has drawn both domestic criticism and growing international alarm.

Mounting Public Pressure

The demonstrations took place more than a week after Israel’s security cabinet approved fresh plans to capture Gaza City, nearly two years into a devastating conflict that has created a severe humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave. Protesters in Tel Aviv unfurled a massive Israeli flag plastered with images of the remaining hostages, transforming Hostage Square — a symbolic hub of public dissent since the war began — into a striking visual demand for action.

In addition to rallies, demonstrators blocked several major roads, including the busy Tel Aviv–Jerusalem highway, where tires were set ablaze, creating traffic gridlock. Organizers, alongside the leading campaign group representing hostage families, also called for a nationwide strike to amplify their demands.

“We’ve reached a point where it’s clear: the war must end, the hostages must be freed, and Israel must find a path toward stability and a more secure Middle East,” said Doron Wilfand, a 54-year-old tour guide who joined a rally in Jerusalem.

Hostages at the Center of Debate

The conflict traces back to Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which left 1,219 people dead in Israel — most of them civilians — and saw 251 hostages taken into Gaza. According to Israeli military estimates, 49 hostages remain in captivity, including 27 who are believed to have died.

The hostage issue has become a rallying cry for many Israelis, but it has also exposed sharp political divides. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the protests, calling them “a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas.” He argued that public pressure for a deal risked undermining national security, effectively “burying the hostages in tunnels” by strengthening Hamas’s bargaining position.

Escalation Plans and Humanitarian Concerns

Israel’s intention to push deeper into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps has sparked condemnation abroad and resistance at home. UN-backed humanitarian experts warn that famine is spreading in Gaza, where aid deliveries remain heavily restricted.

On Saturday, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that Israeli forces shot dead at least 13 Palestinians who had been waiting near aid distribution points for food supplies. These accounts add to fears that the humanitarian toll is spiraling further out of control.

According to the Gaza health ministry, more than 61,897 Palestinians — the majority civilians — have been killed since Israel launched its military campaign. The United Nations considers the ministry’s figures credible.

A Deepening Crisis

While the Israeli government frames its military operations as necessary to dismantle Hamas, the scale of destruction and loss of life has fueled international pressure for restraint. Inside Israel, the protests reflect growing frustration with the war’s direction, as citizens grapple with both the plight of hostages and the long-term security implications of continued fighting.

The widening gap between public calls for de-escalation and hardline government positions suggests that the debate over how to end the conflict — and at what cost — will only intensify in the weeks ahead.