TEL AVIV. More than 100,000 people rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to expand military operations in Gaza, demanding an immediate end to the nearly two-year war and the release of hostages.
The demonstration followed the prime minister’s announcement that the security cabinet had approved a military push to seize Gaza City, despite warnings from the military that the move could endanger the remaining hostages. Officials believe around 50 hostages are still held in Gaza, with only about 20 thought to be alive.
“This isn’t just a military decision. It could be a death sentence for the people we love most,” said Lishay Miran Lavi, wife of hostage Omri Miran, urging U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene to stop the war.
Public opinion polls indicate a large majority of Israelis want the conflict to end in exchange for the hostages’ release. Most of those freed so far were released through diplomatic negotiations. Ceasefire talks that could have secured more releases collapsed in July.
Protesters waved Israeli flags and carried photos of hostages, while some held placards depicting Gazan children killed in the conflict. Demonstrators called on the government to reach a ceasefire with Hamas, which launched the war with its October 2023 attack.
The Gaza health ministry says over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, including at least 39 in the past day. Israeli officials have faced mounting criticism at home and abroad over the planned escalation, including from European allies.
Some members of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition support a complete takeover of Gaza, while the military has warned this could further jeopardize the hostages’ safety. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for annexing large parts of Gaza, while Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel intends to control all of Gaza but does not plan to keep it permanently.
Rally attendee Tal, a 55-year-old teacher, warned that escalating the war would cause more deaths. “We don’t have anything to do there. It’s not ours,” she said.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
