'Israel' boils as protests demand captive deal, end war on Gaza
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Protests across "Israel" expose deep rifts as settlers demand a captive deal while Netanyahu pushes a Gaza offensive, fueling outrage across the occupation entity.
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A protest calling for the end of the war and an end to starvation in the Gaza Strip in Tel Aviv on August 23, 2025. (AP)
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv and other areas across "Israel" on Saturday night, urging the government to negotiate a deal with Hamas for the release of captives and a ceasefire in Gaza. In parallel, a separate anti-war protest drew additional crowds.
The rallies came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he had ordered negotiations for the return of all 50 captives, even as he advanced plans for a military offensive aimed at occupying Gaza City.
Hamas indicated last week that it had accepted a proposed agreement under which ten living captives and the bodies of 18 deceased captives would be released during a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. During this period, both sides would negotiate the return of the remaining captives and a permanent cessation of hostilities, alongside the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
Netanyahu 'is sacrificing' the captives
Despite these developments, Netanyahu is once again obstructing negotiations, prioritizing war escalation over the release of the captives.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, Liran Berman, whose brothers are captives, expressed doubt about Netanyahu’s commitment. Berman noted that no negotiating team had yet been deployed, while Netanyahu had already approved the Israeli occupation forces’ planned Gaza City operation.
"He talks about negotiations," Berman said, "but in practice he is sacrificing them." He urged the prime minister to accept the deal on the table, warning: "Expanding the fighting only puts them and all the hostages at even greater risk."
Itzik Horn, whose sons are captives, told protesters that Netanyahu should send his own children if he believes the Gaza City operation will secure the captives’ release, warning: "If, God forbid, as a result of the operation in Gaza, hostages die, many soldiers die, this time, you won’t be able to run away from it; this was your plan."
Protest organizers vowed that demonstrations would continue daily throughout the coming week, stressing that the priority was to take to the streets and channel growing public anger.
In addition to Tel Aviv, demonstrations took place in al-Quds, Haifa, and other major areas, as well as at highway junctions nationwide, all calling for a captive agreement.
'Stop killing children'
Earlier on Saturday, thousands participated in an anti-war protest in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square, led by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens Affairs in partnership with human rights groups. Demonstrators held signs denouncing “Israel’s” actions in Gaza, chanting: “From Gaza to Jenin, stop killing children,” and “Gaza, Gaza, don’t despair, we will end the occupation.”
Israeli Authorities initially threatened to revoke the protest permit and limit attendance to 500 people instead of the planned 5,000. Mohammad Barakeh, committee chair, condemned this as an attempt to silence opposition to the war.
Hadash-Ta’al MK Aida Touma-Sliman shared images on X, stating: "Here at Habima Square, despite attempts to silence and subjugate us, thousands of voices are crying out: End the war of destruction and starvation immediately!"
One 61-year-old protester was arrested for chanting, "With our soul and blood, we will redeem you, Gaza." The protest included participation from all segments of the Palestinian Arab community.
