Tens of thousands of Israelis flooded the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night in a largely unprecedented wave of dissent, rallying against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval via his security cabinet for a military takeover of Gaza City. Organizers estimated attendance at over 100,000, with protesters calling for an immediate ceasefire and demanding the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
Families of captives led the emotional appeals. Lishay Miran-Lavi, spouse of hostage Omri Miran, warned the move could be “a death sentence for the people we love most,” while other relatives rallied near Defense Ministry and IDF headquarters, urging soldiers to refuse orders to invade Gaza City. Demonstrators reportedly blocked Tel Aviv’s Ayalon highway with bonfires and placards, underscoring the depth of public anger .
The protests reflect broad domestic opposition, from both the public and military leadership to the proposed escalation. Israel’s armed forces have cautioned that capturing Gaza City could jeopardize hostages’ lives and lead to further troop casualties. Concurrently, international criticism is mounting: Germany has halted arms exports linked to the operation, while allies such as the UK, France, and others have expressed alarm over potential humanitarian fallout.
Amid these tensions, mediators from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt are working in earnest to broker a ceasefire and hostage release deal that might stave off full-scale invasion though talks remain fragile.
The massive Tel Aviv rally is not only a dramatic display of civil resistance but also a pivotal moment in Israel’s political and strategic calculus. The government faces mounting pressure from hostages’ loved ones, its own military, and international partner, all warning that further escalation may inflict irreversible human and political damage.
