Thousands of demonstrators have emerged in the streets throughout Israel, opposing the government’s proposal to intensify its military activities in Gaza.
On Friday, Israel’s security cabinet agreed on a five-principle plan to conclude the war. This includes ‘taking security control’ over the Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military readying itself for ‘taking control’ of Gaza City.
Among the protesters are family members of the 50 hostages in Gaza. With only 20 still believed alive, they are worried the government’s plan endangers their loved ones, urging for their secure release.
Israeli officials dismiss criticism of their plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued, “This will help release our hostages.”
An organization representing the hostages’ families stated, “Widening the conflict endangers both hostages and soldiers – the Israeli public is not willing to gamble their lives!”
Shakha, a protester in Jerusalem, told the BBC, “We need the war to end. Our hostages are dying there, and we want everyone home now.”
A former soldier, now in refusal, Max Kresch, shared, “We’ve become over 350 soldiers who started serving during the war and then chose not to continue under Netanyahu’s politics. This war puts our hostages and innocent Palestinians at risk.”
In Tel Aviv, protests near the IDF’s headquarters urged soldiers to reject participation in the expanded military operation to protect the hostages.
One hostage’s mother called for a nationwide strike in Israel. Nonetheless, support from the country’s main labor union is lacking.
Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, warned Netanyahu that a full occupation of Gaza would be “trapping” and endanger the remaining hostages.
Surveys show a majority of the Israeli public favor a deal with Hamas for hostages’ release and the war’s conclusion.
Claiming, “We’re not going to occupy Gaza – we’re here to liberate Gaza from Hamas,” Netanyahu stated on X. “This action will free our hostages and prevent Gaza from threatening Israel in the future.”
The Israeli security cabinet’s plan outlines five principles: disarming Hamas, releasing all hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, controlling the territory’s security, and setting up “an alternative civil administration – neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.”
The UN cautioned that Israel’s complete military takeover of Gaza City would risk “catastrophic consequences” for Palestinian civilians and hostages, with up to a million Palestinians residing in the city.
Several countries, including the UK, France, Canada, and Germany, have condemned Israel’s decision. Germany even halted its military exports to Israel in response.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ged13jjglo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
