As the nine-month-long war in Gaza entered its tenth month, protesters in Israel took to the streets, blocking main roads and gathering outside the homes of government officials to demand an end to the conflict and a ceasefire that would bring back the hostages held by Hamas. The demonstrations, dubbed the “Day of Disruption,” aimed to put pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to step down and negotiate a deal that would bring an end to the fighting.
The protests come as international mediators have renewed efforts to broker a deal, and as Hamas has appeared to drop one of its key demands for an Israeli commitment to end the war. The war, which was triggered by a cross-border attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, has seen over 38,000 Palestinians killed, with many more wounded or displaced.
The protesters, who numbered in the thousands, released 1,500 black and yellow balloons near the border with Gaza to symbolize the lives lost and those who were abducted. Many protesters expressed their frustration with the government’s handling of the conflict, with one demonstrator, Hannah Golan, saying, “It’s nine months today, to this black day, and still nobody in our government takes responsibility.”
As the protests continued, Israeli airstrikes targeted Gaza, killing at least 13 Palestinians, including the undersecretary of labor in the largely dismantled Hamas-run government. The Israeli military claimed that it was targeting Hamas militants and had taken numerous steps to reduce civilian casualties. However, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 16 people were killed and 50 others wounded in an airstrike on a school-turned-shelter.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Via Benjamin Netanyahu/Twitter)
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 120 hostages still held captive by Hamas, and at least 40 of them believed to be dead. The Israeli government has vowed to continue fighting until it achieves its goals of destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities and bringing back all those held captive.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese militant group Hizbullah launched dozens of projectiles towards northern Israel, targeting areas more than 20 miles from the border. The Israeli military responded with airstrikes, killing an engineer in Hezbollah’s air defense unit. In addition, the Israeli army announced that one of its officers was killed in battle in the southern Gaza town of Rafah, bringing the total number of Israeli soldiers killed to 680.
As the conflict continues to drag on, the people of Israel and Gaza remain caught in the crossfire, with no clear end to the fighting in sight. The protests and demonstrations are a testament to the growing frustration and despair of those affected by the war, and serve as a reminder of the need for a negotiated solution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all civilians.
