Thousands of Israeli protesters blocked highways and intersections in various parts of the country to demand a deal to release detainees in the Gaza Strip and hold immediate legislative elections.
The protesters targeted the residences of a number of ministers and members of the Knesset associated with the government coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to what our correspondent reported.
These protests coincide with exactly 9 months since the attack on the Gaza Strip settlements on October 7th.
Israeli Channel 13 reported earlier that confrontations took place between police and demonstrators in Tel Aviv, and waste water was used to disperse them.
Other Israeli media reported that the demonstrators blocked main streets in Tel Aviv and that the Israeli police arrested a number of them, while security measures were strengthened during the demonstrations for fear of public actions.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that several areas in Israel witnessed demonstrations tonight, and their goals focused on demanding a deal for the return of the kidnapped people against the backdrop of progress in the negotiations.
The families of the detainees in Gaza told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “For the first time, we feel hopeful and that we are closer than ever to the deal,” and they added, “This is an opportunity that should not be missed... Do not break our hearts.”
The demonstrators called on Netanyahu not to thwart the exchange deal and to prioritize the public interest over his personal considerations and interests, as well as by holding early elections.
The "Hovce Barzino" protest group said that pushing to complete the deal is a moral step and the most urgent and important at this time, and "we must do everything we can to prevent thwarting this crucial opportunity."
Opposition leaders support the deal
Coinciding with the anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in support of concluding an exchange deal, a number of opposition leaders in Israel stated the need to return detainees in the Gaza Strip.
Benny Gantz said, "Returning our abductees, even at a painful and difficult price, is the right strategic decision."
For his part, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel must "end the war as long as Hamas has managed to survive after 9 months," warning that Netanyahu "will blow up the hostage deal after his expected performance and speech in the US Congress."
Olmert called for an end to the war and an agreement to release the detainees.
For his part, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, who participated in the Tel Aviv demonstrations, said that "a deal must be concluded now," adding that "those who abandoned the hostages 9 months ago must return them now."
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