The demonstration in Tel Aviv took place while a delegation from the Palestinian militant group Hamas was in Cairo for ceasefire negotiations with Israel.
Thousands of people took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding that the government succeed in an agreement to bring back the hostages from Gazaof new elections And the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Public pressure on the head of government has increased recently to reach an agreement as quickly as possible putting an end to a war which has lasted for almost seven months.
“The most important thing is to bring back the hostages and deliver humanitarian aid to Gazasaid Roi Tzohar, a protester in Tel Aviv.
“The Israeli people are hostage to the right-wing government and the people of Gaza are hostage to Hamas.“
Negotiations with Hamas in Cairo: “notable progress”
The demonstration took place whilea delegation from the Palestinian militant group Hamas was in Cairo for ceasefire negotiations with Israel.
Egyptian state media reported “ notable progress “, althoughIsraeli official downplays prospects of complete end to Gaza war.
Egyptian and US mediators have signaled signs of compromise in recent daysbut the chances of a ceasefire agreement remain tied to the key question of whether whether Israel will accept an end to the war without achieving its stated goal of destroying Hamas.
Egyptian state television channel Al-Qahera News said on Saturday that a consensus had been reached on many controversial pointsbut did not give details.
Hamas has called for a complete end to the war and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza.
Israel: eyes on Rafah
A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the prospects of a complete end to the war.
The official said thatIsrael was determined to launch an incursion into the city of Rafah.
The war killed more than 34,000 Palestiniansaccording to local health authorities in Gaza, caused widespread destruction and plunged the territory into a unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
The conflict broke out on October 7, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, kidnapping around 250 people and killing around 1,200, mostly civilians. Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
