In pics | Protests erupt in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu’s Gaza City takeover plan
Thousands of people took to the streets of Tel Aviv, protesting against the Israeli government's plan to take over Gaza City, in a major escalation of the war with Hamas.
Tel Aviv protest
Thousands showed up on the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday (Aug 9), calling to end the war in Gaza after the Israeli government gave a nod to go ahead with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plan to take over Gaza City. Demonstrators were seen waving signs and holding pictures of the hostages, who are still being held in Gaza by Hamas.
Tens of thousands participate in protests
AFP reported that as many as tens of thousands of people took part in the protests as they called on the government to secure the release of the Israeli hostages. According to a group representing the families of hostages, about 100,000 people participated in the demonstrations.
‘We will pursue you in the town squares’
“We will end with a direct message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: if you invade parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you in the town squares, in election campaigns and at every time and place,” Shahar Mor Zahiro, a relative of a slain hostage, told AFP.
‘Defeat of Hamas’
On Friday (Aug 8), Israel’s security cabinet approved Netanyahu’s proposal for the “defeat of Hamas” after an hours-long meeting. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said that the
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were preparing to take over Gaza City and provide humanitarian aid to civilians in the territory.
Backlash and opposition
Despite the backlash from Israelis and opposition from IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who raised concerns about the safety of the hostages, Netanyahu has pushed for the plan to take control of Gaza City. The statement added that the alternative plan presented to the cabinet was rejected.
‘No plans to annexe Gaza’
Netanyahu clarified that he has no intentions of annexing Gaza. “We want Gaza to be taken over by a governing body. No plans to annexe Gaza,” he said, adding that Israel aims to establish a “defence parameter around Gaza” to ensure security without territorial expansion.
Frequent protests in Israel
The Israeli government has faced regular protests since the war began after the 2023 attack by Hamas. Several rallies have called for Netanyahu to strike a peace deal. Out of 251 Israelis held captive in Gaza, 49 are still held by Hamas, 27 of whom are dead according to the military.
UK police arrest hundreds over pro-Palestinian protest
Meanwhile, London police on Saturday arrested 466 protesters supporting the Palestine Action, a pro-Palestine group, during the latest and largest protest. The group had been banned by the government last month under anti-terror laws.
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