Israeli protesters push for deal, ceasefire as war enters 10th month
4 Min Read
Police increased security outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house in occupied al-Quds ahead of a protest scheduled for Sunday.
-
Anti-government protests in the Israeli-occupied territories called for a deal and an end to the war on June 29, 2024. (X photo)
Israeli protestors stopped roadways in Tel Aviv for the second day on Sunday, demanding a captive agreement as the war rages for the 10th month.
The number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza on Sunday reached 38,153, in addition to 87,828 injuries, according to the daily report published by the Health Ministry in Gaza.
A widespread "disruption day" began in the early morning as flag-waving Israelis halted traffic at crossroads, calling for elections and urging the government to do more to release captives.
Police increased security outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house in occupied al-Quds ahead of a protest scheduled for Sunday.
The night before, anti-government protesters blocking a highway battled with police on horseback before authorities used water cannons to clear the route.
Relatives of some captives expressed that "For the first time, we all feel that we are closer than ever to getting our loved ones back." "This is an opportunity that cannot be missed."
In its Sunday editorial titled "The Moment of Public Test," Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed that a serious prisoner exchange deal is currently on the table in "Israel".
The website stated that the deal is expected to involve "the return of some" of the captives, along with an agreed-upon plan for future discussions regarding the release of the remaining captives, while also aiming to prevent the outbreak of a full-scale war in the region.
Haaretz highlighted that the families of the captives, alongside the Israeli settlers, have been waiting for the release of captives being held in the Gaza Strip since October 7, and stressed that they "are already experiencing disappointment."
The newspaper pointed out that this is not the first or second time that the deal seemed close, but repeatedly, for one reason or another, the agreement fails to bear fruit.
However, Haaretz adds, "yet it seems that this time the chances of a deal are greater than ever." It points out that in a meeting held by Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant with the families of the captives, following the receipt of Hamas' response to the mediators' offer in the negotiations, the Defense Minister said: 'We are the closest to a deal than ever before."
'Army not qualified for long wars': Lapid says, calling for ceasefire
"We [Israel] need to end the war, strike a [ceasefir] 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.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has also called for the overthrow of the current occupation government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He emphasized the urgent need to end the war on Gaza, noting that "Hamas managed to survive after nine months of fighting."
Olmert had previously criticized the decision to evacuate settlements in northern occupied Palestine, describing it as "hysterical" and attributing it to the state of panic within Netanyahu's government.
In an interview with Israeli Channel 12, Olmert described the current government as one that "does not know what to do and is unable to make decisions." He emphasized that the administration operates without strategic planning or preparation and lacks a clear understanding of the objectives necessary to end the war.
