Israelis protest to end Gaza war as anger over fate of captives boils over

Thousands of protesters in Israel have taken to the streets demanding an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to free captives held in the besieged enclave, as the military intensifies attacks on Gaza City to force tens of thousands of starving Palestinians to flee again.

Israeli police made dozens of arrests and used water cannons on protesters who gathered Sunday for the nationwide demonstration with more than 300,000 reportedly turning out in Tel Aviv by nightfall – one of the largest since the uproar over six captives found dead in Gaza last September.

Israeli schools, businesses and public transport have been shut down, with demonstrations planned in major cities as part of a national day of action by two groups representing a number of the families of captives and bereaved families.

Restaurants and cafes also closed, while Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that dozens of Israeli artists, celebrities, and athletes voiced support and joined the strike.

Major unions, including lawyers, doctors, and the business forum, as well as the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, also confirmed their participation in the strike.

Protesters, who fear further fighting could endanger the 50 captives believed to remain in Gaza, only about 20 of whom are thought to be alive, chanted: “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages.”

“Military pressure doesn’t bring hostages back – it only kills them,” former captive Arbel Yehoud said at a demonstration in Tel Aviv’s so-called “Hostage Square”. “The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games.”

Sunday’s rallies came just days after Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to advance on Gaza City, nearly two years into a genocidal war that has devastated the Gaza Strip, left much of its population on the brink of famine, and led to Israel being increasingly internationally isolated.

At the demonstration in Tel Aviv, activists unfurled a huge Israeli flag covered with the faces of captives still held in Gaza. Protesters also blocked major roads, including the highway linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where tyres were set alight and traffic came to a standstill, according to local reports.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of those held, declared a nationwide strike.