Israelis Stage Largest Anti-war Protest, Demanding Netanyahu Resign

Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated against Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Jerusalem, calling for new elections and a ceasefire to return the remaining hostages held by the Hamas militant group in Gaza.

Gaza's Health Ministry said that at least 32,782 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, as humanitarian officials warn of an impending famine if Israel does not allow far more aid to cross into Gaza by road.

An Israeli delegation arrived in Egypt's capital Cairo for a new round of peace talks, mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home, yet those goals have been elusive. While Hamas has suffered heavy losses, it remains intact.

Roughly half the hostages in Gaza were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. But attempts by international mediators to bring home the remaining hostages have failed. Talks resumed on Sunday with no signs that a breakthrough was imminent.

Hostages' families believe time is running out, and they are getting more vocal about their displeasure with Netanyahu.

"We believe that no hostages will come back with this government because they're busy putting sticks in the wheels of negotiations for the hostages," said Boaz Atzili, whose cousin, Aviv Atzili and his wife, Liat, were kidnapped on Oct. 7. Liat was released but Aviv was killed, and his body is in Gaza. "Netanyahu is only working in his private interests."

Protesters blame Netanyahu for the failures of Oct. 7 and say the deep political divisions over his attempted judicial overhaul last year weakened Israel ahead of the attack. Some accuse him of damaging relations with the United States, Israel's most important ally.

Netanyahu is also facing a litany of corruption charges which are slowly making their way through the courts, and critics say his decisions appear to be focused on political survival over the national interest. Opinion polls show Netanyahu and his coalition trailing far behind their rivals if elections were held today.

Unless his governing coalition falls apart sooner, Netanyahu won't face elections until spring of 2026.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-01/israeli-airstrike-hits-hospital-tent-camp-gaza/103652900
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/01/1241955407/israelis-gaza-protest-netanyahu