Sun May 11 08:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Thousands of Israelis Demand End to Gaza War, Release of Captives
**Tel Aviv, Israel –** Thousands of Israelis took to the streets across the country on Saturday, demanding an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the immediate release of Israeli captives held by Hamas. Protests centered in Tel Aviv, with large demonstrations at Hostages Square and Habima Square, while additional rallies were reported in Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheba, and numerous other locations.
The protests, fueled by the release of a Hamas video showing two Israeli captives alive, underscore growing dissent against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict. Critics, including families of the hostages, accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing a military solution over negotiations, prolonging the war for personal and political gain. Shai Mozes, whose parents were previously held captive, directly blamed Netanyahu, stating that the Prime Minister is “destroying Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a prominent campaign group, explicitly criticized Netanyahu’s recent announcement of an expanded military offensive in Gaza, arguing it jeopardizes the lives of the remaining captives. Al Jazeera reported that 59 Israelis are being held captive in Gaza, with 35 confirmed dead, 21 presumed alive, and three of unknown fate. Israeli officials maintain that a military approach is the best way to secure their release, a position sharply contradicted by many protesters and family members.
The newly released Hamas video features Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana, both captured during Hamas’s October 7th attack, pleading for an end to the hostilities and the release of all remaining prisoners. The video, while providing a glimpse of the captives’ condition, further intensified calls for a negotiated solution to the crisis. The growing public pressure raises serious questions about the future direction of the conflict and the Israeli government’s strategy.
First Piper 