Israeli media: Protests ongoing amid calls for ceasefire, elections
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The protesting Israeli settlers gathered in front of the residence of Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the residence of Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David, and the residences of other officials, demanding a prisoner exchange deal.
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People attend a protest marking nine months since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, 'Israel', July 7, 2024. (AP)
Tens of thousands of Israeli settlers have been demonstrating since early Sunday morning in various parts of the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories, demanding an immediate prisoner exchange deal, the overthrow of the occupation government led by Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the calling of early elections.
The protesting settlers have blocked main roads in the occupied Palestinian cities, most notably the Ayalon intersection, aiming to increase pressure on the government to meet their demands.
As part of the protest activities, the settlers gathered in front of Netanyahu's residence and the residences of several occupation ministers, members of the ruling coalition Knesset, and senior officials.
Israeli reports indicated that a large number of demonstrators gathered in front of the residence of the chairman of the General Federation of Labor Unions in "Israel", Histadrut, Arnon Bar-David, demanding that he declare a general strike to press for early elections.
Morning demonstrations had erupted with the same demands, with the organizers choosing the same timing as the Palestinian Resistance's Al-Aqsa Flood Operation, which began on the morning of October 7, 2023, when its fighters stormed settlements in the Gaza envelope.
The protests by settlers and the families of Israeli captives in Palestine's Gaza Strip have been ongoing for nine months, calling for a prisoner exchange deal and the overthrow of Netanyahu's government.
The settlers' demonstrations continue while the Israeli political leadership remains evasive in the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and the prisoner exchange talks. According to Axios, Israeli and American officials confirmed that Mossad chief David Barnea conveyed a message to the mediators stating that "Israel" will not accept Hamas's request for a written commitment regarding the second phase of the agreement negotiations.
There are conflicting opinions within the Israeli occupation regarding the prisoner exchange deal and the ceasefire, between the Israeli occupation forces and intelligence agencies on one side, and the office of prime minister on the other. High-level officials expressed their intense anger over the intention to thwart any possibility of reaching a prisoner exchange deal, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.
'Army not qualified for long wars': Lapid says, calling for ceasefire
"We [Israel] need to end the war, strike a [ceasefire] deal, and return the hostages," Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said, the Israeli Army Radio reported.
Lapid further added that "Israel has always opposed long-term wars," as the army depends on reserve forces that are not qualified for such wars, referring to the nine-month Israeli onslaught in Gaza.
Read more: Olmert calls for government dissolution after 9 months of war on Gaza
