Israel: Huge crowds call for end to Gaza conflict

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Israel to demand an end to the Gaza war and a deal to guarantee the liberation of captives held by Hamas, as reported by the BBC on August 17th.

The biggest crowds were found in “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv on August 17th, with the organisers saying the government’s plans to seize control of Gaza City puts the lives of roughly 20 hostages still being held by Hamas, in danger.

A national strike of one day – part of wider demonstrations against Israel’s assault on Gaza – closed roads, offices and universities. Almost 40 people were arrested throughout the day.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the demonstrations, saying they would “harden Hamas’s stance” and would only impede the release of the captives.

Far-right Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich also condemned the demonstrations, referring to them as a “harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas.” What’s more, Smotrich has been sanctioned by the UK for his hardline views.

In Tel Aviv, police violently disrupted a demonstration outside the HQ of Netanyahu’s Likud party. The clashes in the city came after what was believed to have been the biggest rally in 22 months of conflict. Smaller demonstrations took place within Israel.

The national strike was called for by the relatives of captives and others who were against the expansion of the conflict.

Einav Zangauker, mother of the captive Matan and a key person in the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, said the forum urges for “a comprehensive and achievable agreement and end to the war.”

“We demand what is rightfully ours-our children” she told the crowd in Tel Aviv. ‘The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war.”

She spoke following the release of a video of her son.

“My heart burns with longing. My whole heart is scorched because of my Matan”, she said.

The demonstrations occurred after Israel’s war cabinet voted to occupy Gaza City – the territory’s biggest city – and displace its inhabitants, in a move denounced by the UN Security Council.

Thousands of people have since escaped Gaza City’s southern Zeitoun neighbourhood, where ongoing Israeli bombardment has led to “catastrophic” circumstances, according to the city’s Hamas-led municipality.

At least 40 people were killed due to Israeli attacks in Gaza on August 16th, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

The Gaza conflict was prompted by Hamas’s October 7th 2023 attack on Israel, which killed roughly 1,200 people and saw 251 other people taken as captives.

Israel’s offensive has caused the deaths of over 61,000 Palestinians, according to data from the Gaza health ministry, which the UN deems trustworthy.

BBC, Maghrebi.org