Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in a mass outpouring of anger and grief after six captives were found dead in Gaza. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas to bring the remaining captives home. The protest, which is the largest in 11 months of war, is seen as a possible turning point, although the country remains divided.
Israel’s largest trade union, Histadrut, has called for a general strike on Monday to further raise pressure on the government to reach a deal. Ceasefire negotiations have been ongoing for months, with many blaming Netanyahu for the failure to reach an agreement that a majority of Israelis support.
Three of the captives who were found dead were reportedly scheduled to be released in a proposed ceasefire deal in July, adding fuel to the protesters’ anger and frustration. Netanyahu has blamed Hamas for the stalled negotiations, saying that those who murder hostages do not want a deal.
Hamas has offered to release the captives in exchange for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Top security officials believe that the intense pressure on Hamas has created favorable conditions for a ceasefire deal, as the military acknowledges that a deal is the only way to bring home large numbers of captives safely.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
