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National Day of Protests
Today’s protests in Israel mark nine months since the war with Hamas began following the attack on October 7. The National Day of Protests aims to draw attention to the necessity of a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the call for new elections.
Thousands of demonstrators halted traffic in Tel Aviv and other major cities across the country, demanding the government negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas. The protests took place amidst signs of progress in negotiations, despite ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip and on the northern border with Lebanon.
Ongoing Hostilities
Israeli military continues strikes on Hamas positions, including an area near a UN school in Nuseirat, which has drawn international criticism. According to Gaza’s health ministry, the strike resulted in at least 16 deaths and dozens of injuries.
Tensions have also escalated on the northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah militants are bombarding Israeli territory. An American citizen and an Israeli soldier were injured in one of the attacks from Lebanon.
Political Divisions
Many Israelis fear that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may hinder a ceasefire agreement to maintain his hold on power. Some members of his ultra-nationalist coalition threaten to leave the government if a deal with Hamas is reached. Protest leader Shikma Bressler stated, “The far-right parties in the ruling coalition don’t want a deal. They want Armageddon.”
Amid intense disputes within the government, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Netanyahu against playing political games with the fate of the hostages. Despite recent progress in negotiations, a final agreement on a ceasefire has yet to be reached.
Strikes and Protests
Protests began with a symbolic “wake-up call” at 6:29 a.m., the time when the October 7 attack started. Several tech companies allowed their employees to join the protests, which are expected to culminate in large rallies in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem later today.
Einav Zangauker, whose son is held hostage in Gaza, spoke about the renewed ceasefire negotiations: “For the first time in many months, we feel hope. But Netanyahu, we’ve seen you derail deals at the moment of truth time and again. Don’t break our hearts again! Your duty is to bring back all the citizens you’ve abandoned.”
Conclusion
Despite recent progress in indirect contacts between Israel and Hamas through mediators from the US and Arab countries, obstacles remain, and a ceasefire agreement is not imminent. Negotiations are based on a three-stage plan first announced by President Biden in late May and later endorsed by the UN Security Council. Both sides agree on the general outline of the agreement, but a final decision has yet to be made.
This was reported by Time Ukraine Israel, citing The New York Times.
