Protests erupted in Israel following the cabinet's approval to seize all of Gaza, a move that could escalate military operations and provoke international condemnation. Demonstrators demand negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of hostages. Critics warn that long-term military occupation will lead to increased casualties and forced displacement of Palestinians, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. The ongoing conflict, which began after a Hamas attack in October 2023, has resulted in significant loss of life and disrupted humanitarian aid, intensifying the crisis in the region.
"There's no reason to continue on with this war. What we did for one-and-a-half years, last one-and-a-half years and we couldn't succeed, we won't be able to do it now," said Miri Wolf, one of the protesters.
"They (the Israeli government) just want to hold the strip of Gaza and make a new settlement there. They will stay there, soldiers will be killed, and the hostages will come back in black sacks. That's what will happen," she added.
The new plan, which officials said was meant to help Israel achieve its war aims of defeating Hamas and freeing the hostages, also calls for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to move to southern Gaza.
Since Israel ended a ceasefire with the Hamas militant group in mid-March, it has launched fresh strikes on the territory that have killed hundreds of people.
Collection
[
|
...
]