A rally of protesters demanding the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the return of hostages from the Gaza Strip is taking place in the center of Tel Aviv.
⠀
The protests are taking place on Kaplan Street in the city center next to the government building complex. The event, which has become a regular event in recent weeks, brought together people of different ages. They carry Israeli flags and posters calling for Netanyahu’s resignation and the return of hostages from the Palestinian Hamas movement.
⠀
“We want all the hostages and soldiers to return so that the war ends. The time has come,” one of the protesters said.
⠀
Those gathered place responsibility for the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip on Netanyahu, accuse him of dictatorship and demand that the prime minister be impeached. The orchestra participating in the rally plays the imperial march from Star Wars, thus hinting at Netanyahu’s similarity with the negative characters of the film franchise. Protesters also chant: “Democracy!”
⠀
Some protesters stage performances during which they are blindfolded and blindfolded. Thus, they want to draw attention to the fate of the hostages in the Gaza Strip. Speakers also perform.
After a minute of silence, those gathered sang the national anthem.
⠀
The rally area was blocked off by trucks and was patrolled by police officers. The event takes place without incident.
⠀
On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. After this, fighters from the Palestinian Hamas movement entered the border areas, opened fire on military and civilians, and took more than 200 hostages. According to authorities, about 1.2 thousand people died.
⠀
The Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip, which included attacks on civilian targets. Israel announced a complete blockade of the enclave: supplies of water, electricity, fuel, food and medicine were stopped. The Gaza Strip has actually been divided into southern and northern parts, Israel is conducting a ground operation in Rafah, which is considered the last stronghold of Hamas.
⠀
According to the Ministry of Health of the Gaza Strip, since October 7, 2023, the number of people killed in Israeli strikes has exceeded 40 thousand people, and the number of injured is more than 92.4 thousand.