Families of Hamas hostages and thousands of Israelis protested across the country, demanding the return of loved ones and the end of the war targeting Gaza’s civilian population.
Israel: Nationwide Protests and Thousands in Tel Aviv
Thousands of Israelis protested on Saturday, 9 August, against the government’s plan to take control of Gaza after 22 months of war with Hamas. Military operations conducted by the Israeli army are aimed at Gaza’s civilian population. Palestinians are dying of hunger. Al Jazeera reported that on Saturday more than 30 Palestinians in Gaza were killed by Israel. One boy died crushed under a humanitarian aid truck dropped from an aircraft. In Tel Aviv, protestors included families of people taken hostage by Hamas following the 7 October kibbutz attack. The Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons described the red flag waving over the government’s decision to sacrifice our loved ones. A woman whose son is in the hands of terrorists told the Times of Israel that “the prime minister’s hands will be stained with blood” if someone held by Hamas dies.
Call to the Israeli Army
Protesters directed their pleas to Israeli soldiers, urging them to participation in a mission that would, according to them, end in the death of hostages held by Hamas. “There is no other choice but to refuse,” said Shai Mozes, nephew of a former Hamas hostage. By 10 p.m., the Times of Israel reported that police had opened the Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv after the protestors pushed it aside. Water cannon were brought to the scene, but were not used, according to the newspaper.
Israel Condemned for Plans to Take Control of Gaza
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced intentions to take control of the entire Gaza Strip, although the plan he presented only mentions the city of Gaza. The prime minister’s office informed that armed forces would begin preparations for these operations. Foreign ministers of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia condemned the steps. “The plans announced by the Israeli government may violate international humanitarian law,” the ministers wrote in a joint statement.
