Israelis demonstrated in Rehovot near Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza and calling for early elections.
The protest, which took place near Rehovot Science Park, reportedly involved families of the hostages. The intensity of protests is expected to escalate across Israel.
Tel Aviv estimates that 134 Israelis are held captive in Gaza, while Israel holds approximately 9,000 Palestinians in its jails.
Since an October 7 cross-border attack by Hamas, Israel claims to have killed over 34,600 Palestinians, with less than 1,200 Israelis killed and around 250 hostages taken.
A November deal led to the release of 81 Israelis and 24 foreigners in exchange for 240 Palestinians, including 71 women and 169 children.
Efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to broker an agreement for the remaining Israeli captives continue.
The conflict has displaced 85% of Gaza’s population internally, with severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, and 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed.
Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, with an interim ruling in January ordering Tel Aviv to cease genocidal acts and ensure humanitarian assistance for Gaza civilians.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Panama Decides: Voters to choose president amid disqualification of leading candidate