Israeli police arrest 5 for blocking highway during government protest
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Settlers continue to protest against the occupation government, calling for the return of captives in Gaza.
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People block a road as they protest, calling for a captive deal for captives in Gaza in Tel Aviv on September 1, 2024. (AP)
According to Israeli media, Israeli Police have detained five settlers for obstructing Tel Aviv's Ayalon Highway during a rally demanding the release of Israeli captives in Gaza.
According to a statement from the force, the road reopened after cops dispersed the protestors.
One protester expressed she was sorry the people have not "succeeded in causing the government to bring a [hostage] deal."
Unrest in Tel Aviv continues as the occupation government fails to proceed with a captive-prisoner exchange deal. Israeli settlers continue to express their distrust in the government and Netanyahu.
Israeli soldiers threaten to stop fighting if captive deal not settled
Days ago, a group of Israeli occupation soldiers threatened that they would end reserve duty if the occupation government did not make efforts to secure a prisoner-captive deal.
In a letter addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant, 130 soldiers said that "continuing the war in Gaza not only delays the return of the hostages but also endangers their lives."
The letter added, "If the government does not change course immediately and work towards securing a deal to bring the hostages home, we will not be able to continue serving."
"For some of us, the red line has already been crossed, and for others, it is rapidly approaching: the day when, with broken hearts, we will stop reporting for service."
The group includes both reserve and regular soldiers, some of whom have fought in Gaza and on the northern border since the Al-Aqsa Battle.
In August, the IOF reportedly threatened their soldiers with prosecution if they did not return to Gaza to continue the ongoing genocide in the Strip amid increasing refusal cases in recent months.
Approximately 20 IOF soldiers from an infantry brigade have refused to return to Gaza, "Israel's" KAN public broadcaster reported, with around 10 of the soldiers receiving official warnings stating they would face prosecution for disobeying military orders.
Families of the IOF soldiers claim that their military relatives “are forced to conduct ground maneuvers in Gaza or face prison," adding “There are only a few soldiers left in their company who are capable of fighting... This is our time as parents to help them confront a system that does not care about them."
That said, Gallant stated in July that Tel Aviv needs 10,000 new soldiers amid manpower shortages.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
