Israelis protest against the government, the largest since the beginning of the war

2024-03-31 22:03:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Israelis protest against the government, the largest since the beginning of the

Tens of thousands of Israelis turned out in front of the parliament in Jerusalem on Sunday, in the largest anti-government protest since the war began in October.

They called on the government to reach a deal to release dozens of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and hold early elections.

Six months of war have deepened the divisions in Israeli society. The militant group Hamas killed around 1,200 people during the October 7 attack and took 250 hostages. About half of the hostages were released during a week-long temporary ceasefire in November, but ongoing efforts by international mediators to secure another ceasefire deal have failed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and return all hostages. But these goals have not been realized

the families of the hostages fear that there is not much time left to rescue them.

"After six months, it seems the government is realizing that Bibi Netanyahu has become an obstacle," says protester Einav Moses, whose father-in-law, Gadi Moses, is being held hostage.

"It seems like he doesn't really want to bring them back, that they have failed in this mission."

The organizers vowed to continue the demonstrations. They asked the government to call early elections, about two years ahead of schedule. Mr Netanyahu, in a televised address to the nation before undergoing surgery for a herniated disc on Sunday, said he understood the pain of the hostages' families.

"I will do anything to bring the hostages home," he said. He added that calling new elections would paralyze Israel for six to eight months and stall the hostage talks.

The Israeli prime minister also reiterated his commitment to a military ground offensive in Rafah, the southern Gaza city that is home to more than half of the territory's 2.3 million people.