Nationwide protests erupt in Israel demanding Netanyahu’s resignation

​​​​​​​JERUSALEM

Israelis held protests across the country on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

They accused him of obstructing a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with the Gaza Strip.

Hundreds of thousands of people criticized Netanyahu, reiterating their demand for his government’s resignation for “the most right-wing government in Israel’s history” and early elections.

Protests took place in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheba, West Jerusalem and other parts of the country.

The main demonstration centered around the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators holding banners, posters and placards against Netanyahu and members of his government.

Addressing protesters on Kaplan Street near the Defense Ministry, opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid vowed to “overthrow” the government in elections.

Lapid stressed that they would not negotiate with Netanyahu’s government and would not back down.

“We will win. Bibi (Netanyahu) is not really getting stronger. The people are not on his side. There are no elections because they are afraid of elections because they know the truth,” he declared.

Negotiations sabotaged

Before the demonstration in Tel Aviv, Einav Zangauker, the mother of Israeli prisoner Matan Zangauker, accused Netanyahu of sabotaging negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza.

Zangauker criticized Netanyahu for continuing military operations in Gaza for political purposes and for rejecting a prisoner exchange deal.

“Ending the war is neither an obstacle nor a cost. Ending the war to bring back all the prisoners is the goal,” she said.

Netanyahu is accused by Israelis and international public opinion of refusing to negotiate a prisoner exchange with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, for political reasons.

There are currently an estimated 101 Israeli prisoners in Gaza.

Continued airstrikes in Gaza

As ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations continue under the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, the Israeli army continues its intense airstrikes on Gaza.

Over the past 24 hours, Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of 24 Palestinians.

The attacks have resulted in the deaths of 45,227 Palestinians, including 17,492 children and 11,979 women since October 7, 2023. Additionally, 107,573 people have been injured.

Reports indicate that thousands of bodies remain trapped under the rubble of demolished buildings, while civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and educational institutions, continues to be targeted and destroyed.

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