More than 100,000 people filled the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night to oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to expand the nearly two-year Gaza war, demanding an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.
The protest came a day after Netanyahu’s office said the security cabinet had decided to seize Gaza City, despite warnings from the military that such a move could endanger the lives of the hostages. The full cabinet is expected to approve the decision as early as Sunday.
“This isn’t just a military decision. It could be a death sentence for the people we love most,” said Lishay Miran Lavi, wife of hostage Omri Miran, urging U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene to end the war.
Public opinion polls show most Israelis favour an immediate ceasefire to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Most of those freed so far were released through diplomatic negotiations, but talks collapsed in July.
“They are doing things against the interests of the country,” said Rami Dar, 69, who travelled from a suburb outside Tel Aviv. He joined calls for Trump to force a deal for the hostages.
Protesters waved Israeli flags, carried images of the hostages, and held signs criticising the government or calling for U.S. action. Some displayed photographs of Palestinian children killed in the conflict.
The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages into Gaza. Israel’s military says more than 400 of its soldiers have been killed in Gaza since then. The Gaza health ministry says Israeli strikes have killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, including at least 39 in the past day.
Some far-right coalition members, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have pushed for a complete takeover of Gaza. The military has warned such action could put the hostages at greater risk.
Netanyahu told Fox News on Thursday that Israel planned to take control of all of Gaza but did not want to keep the territory. The prime minister’s Friday statement confirmed plans to seize Gaza City but did not clarify whether the entire enclave would be taken.
“Expanding the war is terrible,” said Tal, a 55-year-old high school teacher. “It will cost the lives of both soldiers and hostages. We don’t have anything to do there. It’s not ours.”
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