Tens of thousands of Israelis poured into Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square on the evening of Sunday, August 17, in what became one of the most significant domestic mass protests since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023. The day was marked by a countrywide “day of stoppage”—a general strike and coordinated protests—organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Their demands were clear: an immediate end to the war in Gaza and a comprehensive deal to free hostages.
Protest organizers estimated that around 500,000 people joined the demonstration in Tel Aviv alone, while as many as one million took part across Israel. Participants firmly echoed cries of “Bring them all home! Stop the war!”—a refrain that reverberated throughout the evening.
Families of hostages played a leading role in the protests. Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan, demanded “a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war,” condemning the current military campaign as having devolved from righteous to “pointless.” In a newly released video obtained on the same day, a visibly weak and frail Matan spoke to his family, urging them to save the hostages “before it’s too late.”
Throughout the day, protestors shut down roads, set tires ablaze, blocked highways, and organized sit-ins—even targeting the homes of government members. Authorities responded with force: dozens of arrests—reports range between 30 and nearly 40—were made, and police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators, especially in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The domestic unrest unfolded amid mounting tensions: Israel’s security cabinet had recently approved an expansive military offensive to seize Gaza City, prompting deep concern among protestors and international observers about the humanitarian repercussions. Gaza’s toll remains devastating—over 61,500 to 61,900 deaths have been reported by Gaza’s health ministry since the war began, though accurate figures are difficult to confirm.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defended the ongoing offensive, arguing that ending the war before defeating Hamas would jeopardize Israel’s security and hinder hostage recovery. Far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir denounced the protests, warning they “play into the hands of Hamas” and weaken Israel’s position. Opposition voices, including former captives and politicians like Benny Gantz, accused the government of harming hostage families and bearing responsibility for the prolonged captivity.
Meanwhile, regional mediators, particularly from Egypt and Qatar, intensified efforts to broker a 60-day truce deal that would include a phased hostage release. This diplomatic push unfolded even as Israel prepared for a sweeping military operation potentially requiring the evacuation of civilian populations across Gaza.
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