Tens of thousands of people in Israel are demonstrating for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The protests in Tel Aviv have reached unprecedented levels, with 120,000 people taking to the streets according to organizers. The city center was filled with Israeli flags as demonstrators called for pressure on the government to reach an agreement for peace.
The initiative by Joe Biden outlined a phased peace plan that includes the return of all hostages and a six-week permanent ceasefire. However, there are concerns about the lack of clarity in the proposal regarding the future control of Gaza after the fighting ends, as well as the survival of Hamas as a military and civilian organization.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the government’s stance that the war will not end until Hamas is completely destroyed. There are differing opinions within the Israeli government regarding the ceasefire proposal, as far-right coalition partners of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have expressed strong opposition to the plan. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir have threatened to leave the government if Netanyahu accepts the ceasefire proposal. They argue that agreeing to
