Protesters rally in Tel Aviv, demand end to Gaza war: Israeli media
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Protests erupt in Tel Aviv as mothers of Israeli soldiers call for their withdrawal from Gaza, amid reports that Trump is pressuring Netanyahu to end the war.
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Relatives and supporters hold photos depicting the faces of Israeli captives who are being held in the Gaza Strip, during a protest demanding their release and the end of the war, in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that a large number of demonstrators launched a protest march toward Namir Street in Tel Aviv. According to the report, police forces stopped the protesters after they deviated from the pre-approved route.
The newspaper added that a group of mothers of Israeli soldiers addressed an emotional appeal to the Chief of Staff, urging immediate action. "Get our children out of Gaza. You know they are sitting ducks in the crossfire," the mothers said.
In a related development, the newspaper Israel Hayom quoted political sources on Thursday as saying that US President Donald Trump "is exerting intense pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war on the Gaza Strip."
The newspaper added that Trump's pressure on Netanyahu "began before the attack on Iran and resumed immediately after it ended."
These developments come amid growing internal dissent within "Israel" over the war on Gaza and increasing international calls for a ceasefire. The ongoing protests highlight the internal divisions and rising settler concerns over the safety of Israeli soldiers involved in the war.
Israeli opposition ask Trump not to interfere in Netanyahu trials
Highlighting the internal divide in "Israel" and tensions between the US and the occupation, it is worth mentioning that on Thursday, Yair Lapid, leader of the Israeli opposition, voiced criticism toward Trump for his remarks suggesting that Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial should be dropped, while also cautioning Trump against meddling in the entity's domestic matters.
Lapid expressed gratitude toward President Trump while also emphasizing that the US leader should refrain from interfering in the judicial proceedings of what he said was an independent country during an interview with Israeli website Ynet.
"We are thankful to President Trump, but... the president should not interfere in a judicial trial in an independent country," Lapid told Ynet.
Trump on Wednesday characterized the legal proceedings against Netanyahu as a "witch hunt," mirroring the Israeli prime minister's rejection of the corruption charges.
In a post on his Truth Social platform following the conclusion of a 12-day war on Iran, Trump insisted that Netanyahu's trial "should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero," framing the prosecution as unjust.
