Tens of thousands rally in Tel Aviv for exchange deal, ending Gaza war
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Many carried banners reading: "Bring them back now" and "Deal now", while others chanted for an end to the war.
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A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a protest calling for the immediate release of all captives in the Gaza Strip and an end to the ongoing war, in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 (AP)
Tens of thousands of settlers gathered on Saturday evening in central Tel Aviv, filling Kaplan Square in one of the largest protests since the beginning of the war on Gaza. Demonstrators demanded a comprehensive and immediate prisoner exchange deal with Hamas and called for an end to the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.
Similar demonstrations were reported in several other locations across "Israel", as protesters urged the government to prioritize the release of captives held in Gaza over continued military operations.
Many carried banners reading: "Bring them back now" and "Deal now", while others chanted for an end to the war, arguing that it has failed to meet its objectives and is only causing further bloodshed.
Massive protests in Tel Aviv as thousands call for an end to the war. pic.twitter.com/yeiCnV7kCH
— Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) October 4, 2025
Captives' families demand urgent deal
Thousands gathered to demand the release of 48 captives who have been held in Gaza for 729 days. Families of those detained said the government must act decisively to conclude a prisoner exchange deal and return the captives.
The first speaker was Einav Zangauker, mother of captive Matan Zangauker, who cautioned against political interference that could obstruct an agreement.
She said: "Netanyahu, the people of Israel want this deal. Do not take away our breath. Do not shatter our hope to bring the hostages home... Neglecting them [the captives] is the destruction of Israel. What stands between Matan and me, between the hostages and you, between madness and sanity, is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu! Hamas agreed to the plan, the nightmare is ending. It all depends on one man, Netanyahu! Bring them all back, now!"
Zanguakar had previously warned against sabotage attempts that could derail a ceasefire deal, saying, "We have never been this close to receiving Matan and all the hostages. I know that as we approach it, Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, and Netanyahu will do everything to thwart the chance to embrace Matan. These are critical days... We cannot leave the negotiation zone to the saboteurs; we cannot miss this opportunity."
"It's now or never"
— Palestine Highlights (@PalHighlight) October 4, 2025
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv in anti-regime protests, demanding Prime Minister Netanyahu to accept Trump's Truce Plans to end the war and bring back the remaining Israeli captives held in Gaza.
Follow: https://t.co/AorBZd0e2T pic.twitter.com/AQiHOX1boX
'Israel' reportedly preparing for first phase of US proposal
Earlier in the day, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that "Israel" is preparing to implement the first phase of the US-sponsored plan for the immediate release of all captives. The announcement followed President Trump's reported call on "Israel" to halt airstrikes on Gaza, after Hamas expressed its approval of the proposed framework for a prisoner-exchange deal.
Officials close to the talks described this stage as the most significant diplomatic opening since the conflict began, with negotiators under increasing pressure to finalize terms acceptable to both sides.
