Massive protests erupted in Israel against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The scale is astonishing: over 80,000 demonstrators took to the streets, accusing Netanyahu of unpreparedness for the Hamas attack and demanding his resignation, early elections, and the release of hostages.
Tel Aviv once again became a focal point of events. Organizers reported that the number of protesters in Tel Aviv exceeded 80,000 people. Similar demonstrations took place in other cities across the country. Protesters accused Netanyahu of ignoring warnings before the Hamas attack on Israel’s border region on October 7 and held him responsible for the fate of over a hundred hostages.
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On Saturday evening, protests against Netanyahu’s government flared up again in several cities across Israel. Protesters claimed that government forces were unprepared for the Hamas attack and accused Netanyahu of ignoring warnings before the attack. They demanded his resignation, early elections, and an agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Some groups of demonstrators blocked major transportation routes in Tel Aviv, and police used water cannons to disperse the protests. Arrests were also made. Protests were not limited to Tel Aviv but also occurred in other Israeli cities, including Jerusalem, Haifa, Caesarea, and Rehovot.
Additional
Information Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, stalled two weeks ago. However, according to media reports, they may be resumed next week “based on new proposals.” Representatives from the US, Israel, and Qatar discussed this possibility in Paris on Friday.
