TEL AVIV, Israel — Marking nine months since the war in Gaza started, Israeli protesters blocked highways across the country Sunday, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down and pushing for a cease-fire that could bring back hostages held by Hamas.
The demonstrations come as international mediators have renewed efforts to broker a deal, with Hamas over the weekend appearing to have dropped a key demand for an Israeli commitment to end the war, according to Egyptian and Hamas officials who spoke to The Associated Press. This could deliver the first pause in fighting since November and set the stage for further talks.
The war, triggered by the Palestinian militant group following a cross-border attack on Oct. 7, saw 1,200 people killed and 250 others taken hostage. A retaliatory Israeli air and ground offensive has killed over 38,000 Palestinians, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. The war has caused widespread damage and precipitated a vast humanitarian crisis.
Sunday’s “Day of Disruption” started at 6:29 AM, the moment that Hamas militants launched the first rockets toward Israel in October. Protesters blocked main roads and demonstrated outside of the homes of members of Israel’s parliament.
Near the border with Gaza, Israeli protestors released 1,500 black and yellow balloons to symbolize those who were killed and abducted.
Hannah Golan said she came to protest the “devastating abandonment of our communities by our government.” She added: “It’s nine months today, to this black day, and still nobody in our government takes responsibility.”
About 120 hostages remain captive after more than 100 hostages were released as part of a November cease-fire deal. Israel has already concluded that more than 40 of the remaining hostages are dead, and fears spread the number may grow as the war drags on.
The Israeli prime minister had previously said he was open to pausing the war as part of a hostage deal, but added that Israel would press on until it reached its goals of destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities and bringing all hostages home.
Meanwhile, fighting in Gaza continued, with nine Palestinians reported dead from Israeli strikes overnight and into the early hours of Sunday.
Six Palestinians were killed in central Gaza after a strike hit a house in the town of Zawaida, according to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Another Israeli airstrike early Sunday hit a house west of Gaza City, killing another 3 people, the strip’s Hamas-linked civil defense said.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Saturday an Israeli airstrike killed at least 16 people and wounded at least 50 others in a school-turned-shelter in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The Israeli military said they were targeting Hamas militants and had taken “numerous steps” to reduce civilian casualties.
Also Sunday morning, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said it launched about 20 projectiles toward Israel in the north. The launches targeted areas more than 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, deeper than most launches.
A 28-year-old Israeli man was seriously wounded in Kfar Zeitim, a small town near the city of Tiberias, Israel’s national rescue service reported.
The barrage came after the Israeli military said in a statement an airstrike targeted a car and killed an engineer in Hezbollah’s air defense unit Saturday. Hezbollah confirmed al-Attar’s death but did not give information on his position.
Near-daily clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces over the past nine months have threatened to turn into an all-out regional war and have catastrophic consequences for people on both sides of the border.
— Magdy reported from Cairo.
Israeli protesters have taken to the streets in recent days, calling for a cease-fire and blocking highways in response to the ongoing 9-month war between Israel and Hamas. The conflict, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths and widespread destruction, shows no signs of abating, prompting many Israelis to demand an end to the violence.
The protests, which have been organized by a coalition of peace activists and human rights organizations, have drawn thousands of participants from across the country. Demonstrators have been seen holding signs calling for an immediate cease-fire and chanting slogans condemning the Israeli government’s handling of the conflict.
One of the main grievances of the protesters is the high number of civilian casualties on both sides of the conflict. The war has taken a heavy toll on innocent civilians, with many children among the dead and injured. The protesters are calling for an end to the bloodshed and for both sides to come to the negotiating table to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
In addition to calling for a cease-fire, the protesters have also been blocking highways and disrupting traffic in major cities across Israel. The blockades have caused significant disruptions to daily life, with many commuters being forced to find alternate routes to their destinations.
The Israeli government has responded to the protests by condemning the actions of the demonstrators and accusing them of hindering efforts to bring an end to the conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not negotiate with Hamas until they agree to a complete disarmament and renounce violence.
Despite the government’s stance, the protesters remain undeterred in their calls for peace. They believe that a cease-fire is the only way to end the suffering of innocent civilians on both sides of the conflict and prevent further loss of life.
As the war continues to rage on, it remains to be seen whether the protests will have any impact on the course of the conflict. However, one thing is clear: the Israeli people are growing increasingly weary of the violence and are demanding an end to the bloodshed. Only time will tell if their voices will be heard and if a lasting peace can be achieved in the region.
