Thousands of Israelis take to the streets demanding that Netanyahu accept a ceasefire proposal with Hamas.

247 - Thousands of people took part in demonstrations in Tel Aviv and several other Israeli cities on Saturday (23), demanding an immediate agreement with Hamas for the release of prisoners and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The acts, recorded by The Times of IsraelThe demonstration brought together both family members of prisoners and anti-war movements, which accuse Benjamin Netanyahu's government of putting lives at risk by prioritizing a military offensive over negotiations.

The demonstrations took place after Netanyahu announced last Thursday that he had authorized new rounds of dialogue aimed at the return of 50 hostages, while simultaneously advancing plans for an operation to capture Gaza City. Hamas, in turn, declared that it had accepted a proposal that includes the release of 10 live hostages and the bodies of another 18 during a 60-day ceasefire, accompanied by the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Voices of family members demand answers from Netanyahu.

In Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, Liran Berman, whose brothers Gali and Ziv were captured on October 7, 2023, accused the prime minister of neglecting negotiations:

"He talks about negotiations, but in practice he is sacrificing them," he stated.

Another striking voice was that of Roni Adar, sister of Tamir Adar, who was killed in combat against Hamas in October 2023 and whose body was taken to Gaza. She also reported being harassed in the streets for wearing a t-shirt with her brother's image.

Pressure against the operation in Gaza.

In a parallel protest, Itzik Horn, whose son Eitan remains under Hamas control, challenged Netanyahu to personally assume the risks of his military strategy:

"If you believe that taking Gaza City will bring the hostages back, send your own sons to fight there," he said.

Horn warned that the prime minister would bear direct responsibility if the operation resulted in the deaths of prisoners or soldiers. "I don't want to receive Eitan in a nylon bag."

During the protests, demonstrators lit bonfires, which were quickly extinguished by the police. Zahiro Mor, nephew of Avraham Munder, a prisoner killed in Gaza, accused the government of actively sabotaging the negotiations.

"We are witnessing the torpedoing of the negotiations. We will fill the streets to show our fury."

Anti-war protest brings together Jews and Arabs.

In addition to the mobilizations in favor of the prisoners, thousands participated in an anti-war demonstration in Habima Square, Tel Aviv, organized by the Committee for Monitoring the Arab Population of Israel and human rights groups.

Holding signs accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, participants chanted slogans such as "Stop killing children" e "End the occupation"Member of Parliament Aida Touma-Sliman shared images of the mobilization and stated:

"The moral stance for life, justice, and equality doesn't need permission; it only requires that you be human."

Police had tried to limit the demonstration to 500 people, but thousands showed up. A 61-year-old female protester was arrested for incitement after chanting slogans in support of Gaza.

A country divided between war and negotiation.

Currently, 50 prisoners remain in the hands of armed groups in the Gaza Strip — 20 of them still alive, according to the Israeli army. Another 28 have been confirmed dead.

Saturday's protests highlight the growing division within Israel: on one side, families demanding an urgent agreement to save lives; on the other, a political leadership that insists on expanding the war before concluding negotiations.