Large protests continued in Tel Aviv, Israel, for a third consecutive night Tuesday as hundreds took to the street to call on the government to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring home the remaining hostages held in Gaza. The protests have come after the Israeli military said six hostages were killed by their captors in Gaza just as troops were closing in on their location. Many Israelis blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the mounting number of dead hostages and are calling for a cease-fire agreement to free the remaining hostages.
Quick Read
- Large protests continued in Tel Aviv, Israel, for a third consecutive night Tuesday as hundreds took to the streets to call on the government to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring home the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
- The protests have intensified following the Israeli military’s announcement that six hostages were killed by their captors in Gaza just as troops were closing in on their location.
- Many Israelis are blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the increasing number of dead hostages and are demanding a cease-fire agreement to free the remaining hostages.
- The U.S. government is reportedly working on a new cease-fire and hostage deal proposal with Egyptian and Qatari counterparts.
- The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza.
- Earlier Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it had killed a Hamas militant, Ahmed Fozi Wadia, who was seen in a widely viewed video from Oct. 7 drinking cola in front of two children wounded in a grenade attack that killed their father.
- Wadia was identified as a commander in a Hamas commando battalion, and he was killed along with seven other militants in a strike on a compound in Gaza City.
- The war in Gaza, now in its 11th month, began after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages during an attack on Oct. 7, and has since claimed more than 40,000 lives, according to Gaza health officials.
- Protesters in Tel Aviv held signs and flags, urging the government to “Seal the deal” to save the remaining hostages.
- Police scuffled with some protesters during the demonstrations, leading to at least one arrest.
- Former members of Netanyahu’s cabinet, including Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, have criticized Netanyahu’s insistence on retaining control over Gaza’s border with Egypt, arguing that the focus should be on safely bringing the hostages home.
The Associated Press has the story:
Protesters gather in Tel Aviv again to pressure government to reach a deal
Newslooks- TEL AVIV- ISRAEL (AP)
Large protests continued in Tel Aviv, Israel, for a third consecutive night Tuesday as hundreds took to the street to call on the government to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring home the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
The protests have come after the Israeli military said six hostages were killed by their captors in Gaza just as troops were closing in on their location. Many Israelis blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the mounting number of dead hostages and are calling for a cease-fire agreement to free the remaining hostages.
Meanwhile, the U.S. says it is working on a new cease-fire and hostage deal proposal with its Egyptian and Qatari counterparts. And the United Nations Security Council plans to convene on Wednesday to discuss the war.
Earlier Tursday, the Israeli military announced it has killed a Hamas militant who appeared in a widely viewed video from Oct. 7, where he was seen drinking from a bottle of cola in front of two children wounded in a grenade attack that had just killed their father.
The military identified the militant as Ahmed Fozi Wadia, a commander in a Hamas commando battalion. The Israeli military said aircraft on Saturday struck a compound in Gaza City where Hamas militants were operating, killing eight militants, including Wadia.
Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostage in their Oct. 7 attack, which triggered the war in Gaza which is now in its 11th month and has killed more than 40,000 people, according to Gaza health officials.
Here’s the latest:
Protesters gather in Tel Aviv again to call on government to reach a cease-fire deal
TEL AVIV, Israel — Hundreds of protesters have gathered in central Tel Aviv for a third consecutive night, calling on the government to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring home the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
A new wave of protests erupted Sunday after Israel said it recovered the bodies of six hostages who were killed by Hamas militants in captivity. The army said the hostages were killed as soldiers were closing in on the tunnel where they were being held, and forensics experts say they were shot at close range.
Tuesday’s protest took place a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his insistence that Israel retain control of Gaza’s border with Egypt. Hamas has demanded a full Israeli withdrawal as part of any deal.
Protesters say that time is running out to save the hostages still alive in Gaza. Israel estimates that Hamas is holding about 65 living hostages, in addition to the remains of some 35 others.
Emona Or, the sister of hostage Avinatan Or, said the government needs to “make sure that they do everything to bring them back alive, not like we saw people returning this week, God forbid.”
Many protesters held blue and white Israeli flags and yellow flags meant to symbolize solidarity with the hostages. “Seal the deal,” said one poster.
Police briefly scuffled with some protesters, arresting at least one man.
Former members of Netanyahu’s cabinet say Israel doesn’t need to control Gaza’s border with Egypt
TEL AVIV, Israel — Two former members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet have rejected the Israeli leader’s claim that Israel must retain control over Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Benny Gantz, a former defense minister and military chief of staff, said Israel should focus on bringing the remaining hostages held in Gaza back home safely. Hamas has demanded an Israeli withdrawal from the area as part of any deal.
Gantz told a news conference Tuesday that Israel has the capability of returning to the “Philadelphi corridor” if needed.
“Philadelphi is an operational challenge, not an existential threat,” he said. “We need to bring back the hostages, even at a heavy cost.”
He was joined by his political partner, Gadi Eisenkot, another former military chief. Both men resigned from the war cabinet in June, accusing Netanyahu of mismanaging the war and putting his own political survival ahead of the country’s interests.
Netanyahu’s office dismissed the criticism. “Those who do not contribute to the victory and the return of our hostages would do better not to interfere,” it said.
