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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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 11th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iranian civilian and military officials have pledged their obedience to the new leader, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying his leadership “will herald a new era of dignity and authority for the Iranian nation.”.
Kazakhstan has evacuated more than 7,300 citizens from the Middle East since regional tensions escalated, using both air and land routes to bring nationals home while closely monitoring political developments and potential economic effects linked to rising oil prices.
Tensions are rising in the South Caucasus after a reported strike near Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave, fuelling fears that instability linked to Iran could spill into the region, Dr. Erik Rudenskjold speaks to AnewZ.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
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