Thousands of People In Israel Are Protesting Against Netanyahu Resuming The Genocide In Gaza
Protesters are demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate return of the remaining 59 hostages, only 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
Tens of thousands of people in Israel are protesting against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for unilaterally ending the two-month-long ceasefire and resuming Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
On Tuesday, March 18, Israel launched “extensive airstrikes” across the Gaza Strip, killing more than 400 people in less than 24 hours after refusing to implement phase two of the ceasefire, originally set to begin on March 1.
Instead, it has been insisting that Hamas must now accept a new US deal, which would extend phase one by 50 days in exchange for Hamas releasing all Israeli hostages.
Netanyahu also confirmed that Israel had returned to fighting with force in Gaza and said that it is “only the beginning”.
On Thursday, March 20, Israelis rallied outside Netanyahu’s private residence in central Jerusalem, demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate return of the remaining 59 hostages, only 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
Protesters blasted drums, megaphones and air horns as they chanted “Hostages deal now!”
The demonstrators, including the families of the hostages, accused the government of extending the war for political gain, adding that Netanyahu has the blood of the hostages on his hands.
"We're just a few days after the war was resumed in Gaza and we're very worried about the fate of all the hostages because we know that the military pressure puts a very, very large risk on their lives,” a protester told Reuters.
Police clashed with demonstrators and used water cannons, claiming protesters tried to breach security barriers near Netanyahu's residence, according to The Times.
Protests also took place in Tel Aviv, , according to NPR.
Meanwhile, just a day after resuming its genocide in Gaza, the Israeli military announced on Wednesday, March 19, that it had begun a ground invasion of Gaza, seizing control of more parts of the Netzarim corridor, which separates north Gaza from the rest of the Strip.
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