Protests Escalate Against Netanyahu's Gaza War Expansion Amid Hostage Concerns

Demonstrations intensified across Israel against Prime Minister Netanyahu’s military plans for Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for hostage safety and potential ramifications of expanded warfare.

Thousands of demonstrators have flooded the streets throughout Israel, voicing their opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans for escalating military operations in Gaza. Following a recent decision by Israel's security cabinet to adopt five principles aimed at ending the ongoing war, which includes the controversial move to establish "security control" over the Gaza Strip, public outcry has surged. The Israeli military has begun preparations for a major offensive in Gaza City.

Among the protesters are family members of hostages currently held in Gaza; approximately 20 of the 50 hostages are believed to still be alive. These families are expressing deep fears that the government’s military escalation could endanger the lives of their loved ones, and they implore the government to secure their release. A spokesperson for the families on social media platform X declared, “Expanding the fighting endangers the hostages and the soldiers – the people of Israel are not willing to risk them!”

A protester named Shakha, who gathered in Jerusalem, shared her sentiments, stating, "We want the war to end because our hostages are dying there, and we need them all to be home now.” Another voice of dissent comes from former combat soldier Max Kresch, now among the 350 soldiers who have opted to refuse military service, citing a disapproval for what he describes as Netanyahu's "political war," which jeopardizes both hostages and Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

In Tel Aviv, family members of hostages called for other soldiers to reject orders relating to the expanded military operations, voicing their concerns for the safety of the hostages. A mother of a hostage has even proposed a general strike, although the main labor union of the country currently does not support this initiative.

Adding to Netanyahu's challenges is the disapproval voiced by military Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, who reportedly cautioned the Prime Minister that full occupation of Gaza may lead to disastrous consequences, particularly for the hostages still in captivity. Polls indicate that a majority of the Israeli population favors negotiations with Hamas for a deal to release the hostages and to conclude the ongoing conflict.

Notably, Netanyahu has previously expressed plans to secure the entire Gaza Strip, with intentions to later "hand over" the region to Arab forces. He stated, “We are not going to occupy Gaza - we are going to free Gaza from Hamas,” suggesting that these military actions will aid in securing both the hostages' release and the future safety of Israel.

The Israeli security cabinet's agenda for concluding the hostilities lays out five principles: disarming Hamas, returning hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, securing territorial control, and implementing a new civil administration that would neither represent Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. The potential for catastrophic consequences to Palestinian civilians has not gone unnoticed, with the United Nations warning against a full military takeover of Gaza City, home to nearly one million residents before hostilities escalated.

The international community, including the UK, France, and Germany, has voiced condemnation of Israel's military actions, with Germany suspending its military exports to Israel as a response. A session at the United Nations Security Council is set for Sunday, centering on discussions related to these developments.

The military activities from Israel began following an attack by Hamas on October 7, claiming the lives of around 1,200 individuals and resulting in 251 hostages taken. The aftermath has led to soaring casualty numbers, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry, with estimates suggesting over 61,300 Palestinians have died due to the ongoing military operations.