Tel Aviv, 23 June 2023— Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv on Saturday, staging massive protests demanding early elections and the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Demonstrators, numbering over 10,000, gathered in front of Netanyahu's residence, chanting anti-government slogans and expressing deep dissatisfaction with his war policies.

One of the protesters voiced a plea to international leaders, stating, "Our request to all the leaders of the whole world, including the government of my country, please bring the hostages back home. Make a deal. Let our children come back. We are broken and tired. I want this cruelty to end."

Despite government efforts, the protests show no signs of abating. The demonstrators have been vocal about their discontent with Netanyahu's handling of the conflict in Gaza, particularly criticizing the government's inability to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

On Friday, protesters staged a sit-in outside the Prime Minister's residence, marking 260 days since their loved ones were taken hostage. The families and supporters of the hostages expressed their anguish, highlighting the dire conditions in Gaza and their constant worry about the hostages' well-being.

Although polls indicate that a significant portion of the Israeli public still supports the ongoing war in Gaza, there is a growing divide over the issue. Families of hostages, human rights activists, and members of the Nationalist Religious Party are increasingly vocal in their opposition to the government's stance.

The protests come in the wake of a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel in October last year, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 250 hostages taken to Gaza. After eight months of conflict, the exact number of hostages still alive remains unknown, further fueling public outrage and demands for action.

As the political pressure mounts, the Israeli government faces a challenging situation, balancing between military objectives in Gaza and the growing domestic demand for a resolution to the hostage crisis.