Clutching pictures of hostages, waving yellow flags, banging on snare drums and shouting chants to bring captive Israelis home, tens of thousands took to Tel Aviv’s streets Sunday to call for an end to the war in Gaza.
“We’re here to make it very clear to the Israeli government that this is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages that are being held in the Hamas tunnels for almost 700 days,” Ofir Penso, a 50-year-old Arabic teacher, told AFP.
Demonstrations have been held regularly through most of the 22 months of war in the wake of the Hamas attacks in 2023, but Sunday’s protests appeared to be one of the largest yet.
The renewed energy of the movement came with the government deciding just over a week ago to seize Gaza City and nearby camps in a new offensive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to conquer the most populated swathes of the Gaza Strip has triggered an international backlash while aid agencies and UN experts have warned of unfolding famine in the territory.
Recent video footage released by Palestinian militants showed hostages heavily emaciated and pale — spurring fears that the captives’ health is more fragile than ever.
Many in the crowd wore makeshift patches on their shirts made with pieces of tape with the number 681 — the number of days the hostages have been held captive in Gaza — scrawled in marker pen.
Of the 251 people taken hostage by Palestinian militants in October 2023, 49 remain in the Gaza Strip, including 27 the Israeli military has said are dead.
– ‘Enough is enough’ –
Snaking along downtown streets, shadowed by glass towers, the crowd converged on Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square — the focal point of movement.
“The Israeli government has never offered a genuine initiative for a comprehensive agreement and an end to the war,” Einav Tzangauker, whose son Matan is being held captive in Gaza, told the crowd.
“We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours -– our children.”
The war has also touched on other frustrations for many who took to the streets.
“The whole country is fighting with each other, our image around the world has completely changed, worse than it ever was, and enough is enough,” Nick, a 31-year-old tech worker, told AFP, asking not to use his last name.
Others worried about the fate of their own children enlisted in the Israeli military who had been sent to Gaza and feared that they might soon be recalled to fight.
“We are hoping and praying that our government will hear us and listen to us,” said Ella Kaufman from Kadima Zoran, who has two sons serving as officers in the Israeli army.
“I’m also a concerned mother.”
While thousands took to the streets, there were others in Tel Aviv who hoped for an end to the war but in different circumstances.
“No, I won’t be protesting against Bibi, because I think that he has to finish the work, he has to finish the war,” said Patrick Menache, a 69-year-old real estate investor in Tel Aviv, using a common nickname for Netanyahu.
Nevertheless, he admitted the war had taken a toll.
“Everybody is tired, the hostages are tired, the families are tired, the Palestinians are tired, everybody is tired.”
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