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Thousands of people demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday in favour of a swift end to the Gaza war and the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, with some calling on US President Donald Trump to help peace efforts.
Protesters gathered in Hostages Square in the centre of the coastal city to call on the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire deal and the release of the hostages.
Some family members of remaining hostages called on Trump to do everything in his power to free them, unfurling a large banner that read: “Trump, make history.”
According to media reports, the Security Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is to meet again on Sunday.
A proposal for a ceasefire agreement that has already been approved by Hamas is not due to be discussed, according to the TV station N12.
“Tonight, the people of Israel received further proof that the Netanyahu government favours endless war over hostages, going completely against the will of the people, even though there is a real possibility of bringing the hostages home,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.
It has called for a further protest on Sunday.
The demonstrators also remembered six hostages killed near Rafah by Hamas one year ago.
According to the military, they were brutally murdered by terrorists before the troops reached them. The incident caused consternation in Israel and around the world.
Demonstrators said that the example of those murdered a year ago showed that military pressure endangers hostages.