Thousands of Israelis rallied around the country Monday night calling for an immediate deal to release the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. The protests came as Israel’s War Cabinet voted to begin an operation on the city of Rafah, saying that a cease-fire proposal Hamas accepted earlier in the night was not in line with Israeli demands.
Quick Read
- Protests Across Israel: Thousands of Israelis rallied in multiple cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, demanding an immediate deal to release hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
- Public Pressure: In Tel Aviv, around 1,000 protesters gathered near the military headquarters, some blocking a main highway and encountering police efforts to clear the streets. In Jerusalem, protesters marched toward Prime Minister Netanyahu’s residence with accusatory banners.
- Rafah Military Operation: Concurrently, Israeli leaders approved a military operation into Rafah in the Gaza Strip, even after Hamas accepted a cease-fire proposal earlier that day, citing the proposal’s inadequacy in meeting Israel’s demands.
- Continued Military Operations: Despite the cease-fire proposal by Hamas, Israel plans to continue military operations in Gaza as negotiations and evaluations of the proposal proceed.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The situation is further complicated by the humanitarian crisis in Rafah, where over a million people are displaced due to ongoing military actions, prompting international calls for Israel to provide a credible plan for civilian protection.
The Associated Press has the story:
Thousands protest in Israel calling for a deal to release hostages
Newslooks- TEL AVIV, Israel — (AP)
Thousands of Israelis rallied around the country Monday night calling for an immediate deal to release the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.
The protests came as Israel’s War Cabinet voted to begin an operation on the city of Rafah, saying that a cease-fire proposal Hamas accepted earlier in the night was not in line with Israeli demands.
In Tel Aviv, about 1,000 protesters swelled near Israel’s military headquarters, some blocking the city’s main highway until late into the night. Police tried to clear the road, lifting some protesters off the street and extinguishing fires lit during the demonstration. Other officers on horseback surrounded crowds who chanted “deal now!”
In Jerusalem, hundreds of protesters called for a hostage deal. They marched toward the home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, holding a banner reading “the blood is on your hands.”
There were also smaller protests in the cities of Haifa, Beersheba and Raanana.
Israeli police did not immediately respond to a request about the number of people arrested.
In front of Netanyahu’s house stood Mai Albini Peri, the grandson of Haim Peri, a hostage in Gaza. He held a sign that read, “Rafah, not at the expense of my grandfather.”
ISRAELI LEADERS APPROVE A MILITARY OPERATION INTO RAFAH
JERUSALEM — Israeli leaders have approved a military operation into the Gaza Strip city of Rafah, and Israeli forces are now striking targets in the area, officials announced Monday.
The move came hours after Hamas announced it had accepted an Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the proposal was “far from Israel’s essential demands,” but that it would nonetheless send negotiators to continue talks on a cease-fire agreement.
The United States says it opposes a Rafah invasion unless Israel provides a “credible” plan for protecting civilians there. More than a million people in Rafah are huddled in tents and overcrowded apartments after fleeing Israel’s military offensive in other parts of the territory.
Earlier Monday, Israel’s military said it ordered around 100,000 people to evacuate Rafah, signaling the long-promised ground invasion could be imminent. Israel says Rafah is Hamas’ last stronghold.
ISRAEL SAYS IT WILL KEEP UP MILITARY OPERATIONS IN GAZA AS OFFICIALS CONSIDER HAMAS CEASE-FIRE PROPOSAL
JERUSALEM — Israel will keep carrying out operations in Gaza as officials deliberate over a cease-fire proposal approved by Hamas, an Israeli military spokesperson says.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari spoke after the Hamas militant group said it accepted an Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal to halt the seven-month war with Israel. Israeli officials were studying the proposal late Monday and did not immediately comment.
“We examine every answer and reply very seriously,” said Hagari. “At the same time, we continue our operations in the Gaza Strip and will continue to do so.”
During the same address, Hagari said that Israel would reopen a major crossing for humanitarian aid to pass into Gaza as soon as possible, without specifying exactly when.
Israel closed the Kerem Shalom crossing Sunday after a Hamas mortar attack in the area killed four Israeli soldiers.
The White House said earlier Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to reopen the crossing on a phone call with President Joe Biden.
