Thousands Rally in Tel Aviv Against Netanyahu’s New Gaza Plan, Demand Release of Hostages

Thousands of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, demanding an immediate end to the nearly two-year-long Gaza war and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The demonstration, one of the largest seen in recent weeks, was a direct response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza, including the seizure of Gaza City.

A day earlier, the prime minister's office confirmed that the security cabinet, a select group of senior ministers, had decided to take control of Gaza City. This decision has sparked fierce public backlash, with many Israelis fearing that the move could lead to more civilian casualties and the loss of remaining hostages.

"This isn't just a military decision. It could be a death sentence for the people we love most," said Lishay Miran Lavi, the wife of hostage Omri Miran, during the rally. She called on U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene and end the war immediately.

Public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Israelis support an immediate ceasefire to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages. Israeli officials believe approximately 20 of those hostages are still alive. The government's plan has drawn sharp criticism, both domestically and internationally, with some of Israel's closest European allies expressing concern over the expansion of the war.

Protesters held signs reading "Resist the Death Cabinet" and waved Israeli flags, while others carried images of hostages and urged the government to halt the military escalation. A small number of demonstrators held images of Gazan children killed by Israeli forces, highlighting the human cost of the conflict on both sides.

"Frankly, I'm not an expert or anything, but I feel that after two years of fighting there has been no success," said Yana, 45, who attended the rally with her husband and children. "I wonder whether additional lives for both sides, not just the Israelis but also Gazans, will make any difference."

As of October 7, 2023, over 1,200 Israelis were killed or taken hostage during Hamas's attack. Since then, more than 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza, and the Israeli military has reportedly killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gazan health ministry.

Some of Netanyahu's far-right coalition allies have pushed for a complete takeover of Gaza, a move that has raised concerns about the safety of the remaining hostages. Far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich, a strong advocate for continuing the war, criticized Netanyahu and called for the annexation of large parts of Gaza.

Tal, a 55-year-old high school teacher, warned that expanding the war would result in the deaths of both soldiers and hostages. "We don't have anything to do there. It's not ours," he said.

The full cabinet is expected to approve the plan as soon as Sunday, raising further concerns about the potential consequences of the military escalation.