Thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday, staging one of the largest protests in recent history, as public discontent with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu grows over his handling of the Gaza war. The demonstrations, which drew hundreds of thousands of protesters, called for an end to the conflict and the release of the remaining 50 hostages held in Gaza.
Many experts say that Netanyahu’s government is taking a “one-size-fits-all” approach to solving the crisis, prioritizing the elimination of Hamas over negotiations with the group. However, others argue that a joint strategy is impossible, as freeing the hostages requires a cease-fire and negotiations with Hamas.
Netanyahu has come under increasing pressure from both hard-line members of his government and Israeli public, who are demanding an end to the conflict. The protests have highlighted a growing divide between Netanyahu’s government and the Israeli people, with many questioning the prime minister’s ability to lead the country.
The protests were also marked by violence, as dozens of protesters were arrested and some businesses observed a popular strike. President Trump appeared to back Netanyahu’s position on Monday, writing in a social media post that Hamas must be “confronted and destroyed” for the hostages to be released.
However, many Israelis are skeptical of this approach, with some questioning whether the conflict can ever be resolved without concessions from both sides. The protests have highlighted a deep-seated frustration among Israelis with the war, which has killed over 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
The recent comments by Israel’s former military intelligence chief, Aharon Haliva, who said that 50,000 dead in Gaza was “necessary and required for future generations,” have further fueled the public’s discontent. The protests have become a rallying cry for many Israelis, who are demanding action from their government to end the conflict and bring peace.
As Netanyahu faces increasing pressure, it remains to be seen whether he will abandon his hard-line stance and prioritize negotiations with Hamas. The fate of the hostages and the future of the war remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: the protests have become a defining moment in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Gaza.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/world/middleeast/israel-protests-gaza-netanyahu-hostages.html