Mass protests erupted across Israel, with demonstrators calling for the return of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza, the dismissal of Prime Minister Netanyahu's government and an end to the war in Gaza.
Several thousand supporters, friends and families of Israeli prisoners captured by Hamas on October 7 gathered in “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Al Jazeera correspondents on the ground said.
“This is unprecedented, because throughout the beginning of this war, everyone, including the anti-government protesters, agreed that they needed to be united at a time when there was a war going on, at a time when prisoners were still being held in Gaza,” said Sarah Khairat of the TV channel. Al Jazeera reports from Tel Aviv.
The turnout in the square was much higher than in recent weeks when a few dozen to a few hundred people gathered. “Now, a few thousand people [are] “Gather here,” our correspondent said.
The demonstrators chanted: “Bushah, Bushah, Bushah,” meaning “Shame, shame, shame,” referring to the government. Some also blamed Netanyahu and other officials for the events of October 7.
“That gives you an idea of how angry some of these people are,” Khairat said.
In Jerusalem, people gathered in front of the home of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to demonstrate, demanding the return of more than 100 prisoners still being held in Gaza.
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