In Tel Aviv, a massive crowd calls for an end to the war and the return of hostages

In Tel Aviv, a massive crowd gathered to call for an end to the war and the return of hostages. Brandishing photos of hostages, accompanied by drums and slogans urging for the release of Israeli captives, tens of thousands of people, up to 500,000 according to organizers, took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Sunday to demand an end to the war in Gaza.

"We are here to make it very clear to the Israeli government that this is probably our last chance to save the hostages held in the Hamas tunnels for nearly 700 days," said Ofir Penso, a 50-year-old Arabic teacher, to AFP.

Demonstrations have been organized regularly during the 22 months of war triggered by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. However, this Sunday’s gathering is considered one of the largest to date.

The mobilization came after the decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government a little over a week ago to launch a new offensive against Hamas in Palestinian territory and to seize the city of Gaza and nearby camps.

This plan to take control of the most populated areas of Gaza, while humanitarian agencies and the UN warn of an impending famine in the territory, has drawn international condemnation.

Even within Israel, it has heightened the sense of urgency for those demanding an end to the war in exchange for a negotiated agreement to release all hostages.

During the gathering on Sunday evening, many wore pieces of tape on their shirts with the number 681 written in marker, representing the number of days since the hostages were taken.

Winding through the downtown streets, in the shadow of glass towers, the crowd converged on Tel Aviv's "Hostage Square" - the nerve center of the movement.

"The Israeli government has never proposed a sincere initiative for a comprehensive agreement and the end of the war," accused Einav Tzangauker, whose son Matan is held in Gaza, addressing the crowd.

"We demand a complete and feasible agreement as well as an end to the war. We are asking for what is rightfully ours – our children."

Beyond the fate of the hostages - still 49 captives in Gaza, including 27 declared dead by the army - other concerns were voiced in the crowd.

"The entire country is tearing apart, our image in the world has completely changed, it is worse than ever, and that is enough," lamented Nick, a 31-year-old tech worker who requested not to provide his last name.

Others worry about the fate of their own children enlisted in the Israeli army, fearing they will soon be called back to fight.

"We hope and pray that our government hears and listens to us," said Ella Kaufman, who describes herself as "a worried mother" with two sons serving as officers in the army.

"As Israelis, we do everything to serve and sacrifice for our country, as long as the government is serving the citizens. In recent months, we have lost that connection and trust in our government, which seems to be primarily following its own political motivations," she expressed.

However, other Tel Aviv residents support the government during such sensitive times. "Why are people protesting? No one knows where the hostages are. So don't protest against Netanyahu. But to support the hostages," challenged Patrick Menache, a 69-year-old real estate investor.

"Everyone is tired, the hostages are tired, the families are tired, the Palestinians are tired (...) this must end. But the end of this war is first in the hands of Hamas," he asserted.

For him, "Netanyahu must end the war," "and then he must go, that is certain."