Thousands of settlers gathered in central Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand an end to the war in Gaza, one day after the Israeli government announced plans to intensify the onslaught and occupy Gaza City.

Protesters carried signs and displayed photographs of captives still held in the Palestinian territory, urging authorities to prioritize their release over expanding military operations.

⚡️Israeli media:

60,000 Israeli settlers demonstrate in Tel Aviv demanding an end to the war and a comprehensive hostage exchange deal. pic.twitter.com/tU1kuKLpGV

— S2FUncensored (@S2FUncensored) August 9, 2025

The demand is also reflected within the ranks of the Israeli military echelon, with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attempting to persuade the security cabinet that occupying Gaza was not the right choice, and to discuss the long duration and significant military and economic repercussions such a plan would entail, Israel Hayom cited sources as saying. 

Military reporter Doron Kadosh stated that Zamir also raised concerns, including the repercussions of a prolonged war and the occupation of Gaza on captives, noting that the war cabinet had not met in a significant amount of time, leaving the army without clear guidance on whether to proceed with the offensive, and that commanders were not being given decisive directives.

Kadosh also reported that Zamir is advocating for a negotiated deal, emphasizing the need for flexibility and intensified efforts to secure an agreement, adding that the army has signaled its readiness to accept any terms, including a broader ceasefire agreement that could bring the war to an end.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu's office announced that "Israel" will take control of Gaza City, adding that "an overwhelming majority of cabinet ministers believed that the alternative plan presented to the cabinet [by the IDF] would not achieve the defeat of Hamas or the return of the hostages."