Israel sees huge protests over Gaza war, Hamas hostages
- - Israel sees huge protests over Gaza war, Hamas hostages
Sarah FortinskyAugust 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Nationwide protests erupted throughout Israel on Sunday as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators called for the safe return of hostages still held in Gaza after nearly two years of war.
The demonstrations amounted to one of the largest the country has seen since the start of the war in October 2023. They come amid growing frustration in Israel over the government’s plans to expand military operations in some of Gaza’s most crowded areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he opposes any deal that leaves Hamas in power. But many Israelis fear a new military offensive in Gaza could endanger the 50 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed still to be alive.
The protests on Sunday were organized by groups representing families of hostages.
Demonstrations took place at dozens of locations throughout Israel, including at politicians’ homes, at military headquarters and on major highways, where protesters blocked several lanes and lit bonfires.
“The only way to bring (hostages) back is through a deal, all at once, without games,” former hostage Arbel Yehoud, whose boyfriend Ariel Cunio is still held by Hamas, said at a protest in Tel Aviv.
The day of action culminated in a rally in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said more than 400,000 people gathered in the rally, according to multiple reports.
Israeli police said they arrested 38 people on Sunday.
The contributed.
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