On August 26, the voice of protest intensified across Israel. In the capital and city centers, including the surroundings of Tel Aviv, many roads and highways were temporarily blocked by demonstrators. These mass actions demand the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and the cessation of military operations in the Gaza Strip, DW reported.
Demonstrators took to the roads, holding up photographs and signs of the hostages; in some cases, car tires were set on fire, attracting attention. The “Day of General Civil Solidarity,” organized by the relatives of the hostages, combined demonstrations held in various cities across the country. These actions are planned to culminate in a large demonstration on the Hostages’ Square in central Tel Aviv on the evening of August 26.
Protest participants accuse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately prolonging the war for political reasons. According to political analysts, Netanyahu’s staying in power depends on his caution and strategy. In particular, radical and right-leaning coalition partners oppose the ceasefire.
Leader of the Israeli opposition Yair Lapid demanded that the government reach a prompt and transparent agreement with Hamas regarding the end of the war and the release of hostages. According to Lapid, a high-ranking representative of one of the states mediating between Hamas and Israel told him:
“The Israeli government has still not responded to the recently presented proposal for an agreement. Prior to this, approximately a week ago, Hamas expressed 98 percent agreement with the plan proposed by the special envoy of the US President, Steve Witkoff, in spring,” it is stated.
According to this plan, a ceasefire should be implemented for 60 days, and in the initial phase, 10 Israeli hostages should be released in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from prisons. The representative of the mediating state told Lapid: “We do not understand why Israel has not yet responded to us.”
These protest actions in the country have initiated a new stage in security and political solution matters. Actions carried out for the families of hostages and citizens’ rights have become the focus of attention across the country.
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