The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended, prompting renewed airstrikes in Gaza and leading to significant protests in Israel. Demonstrators are expressing outrage over military actions and the dismissal of intelligence chief Ronen Bar. Calls for a change in government policy are intensifying, with protesters demanding an end to hostilities and the release of hostages. International leaders are urging for a ceasefire and emphasizing the need for humanitarian access in Gaza amid escalating violence.
After two months of relative calm, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has come to an abrupt end as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has initiated new airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. This has ignited widespread protests across Israel and drawn significant criticism from international observers.
With a series of intense airstrikes, the Israeli government has effectively broken the ceasefire with Hamas, leading to substantial casualties. Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners have cheered these military actions, which have resulted in hundreds of deaths. However, the domestic and global backlash has been immense.
Massive Protests Erupt in Israel
In Jerusalem, thousands of demonstrators gathered for a protest march towards Netanyahu’s office, causing major traffic disruptions as a key highway was blocked. The protests were fueled not only by the military actions but also by the controversial dismissal of Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency. Netanyahu cited a ‘lack of trust’ in Bar as the reason for his dismissal, which he intends to have approved by the government this week.
The relationship between Netanyahu and Bar has been strained for some time, particularly following an investigation that revealed significant errors leading up to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Additionally, Shin Bet has been probing alleged illicit connections between some of Netanyahu’s associates and Qatar.
Demands for Policy Change
Protesters are calling for a fundamental shift in government policy. Prominent protest figure, physics professor Schikma Bressler, expressed the urgency of the situation by stating, “It is time for us to end this madness before we have nothing left to save, before we have no land left.” Many demonstrators waved national flags as well as yellow flags symbolizing the ongoing plight of Hamas hostages. The families of the hostages have voiced their demands for an immediate halt to hostilities.
Among the crowd, 68-year-old Zeev Berar from Tel Aviv proclaimed, “We hope that the entire people of Israel will join the movement until we restore democracy and free the hostages.” The atmosphere was charged as protesters shouted at Netanyahu, accusing him of having “blood on your hands,” while others carried banners stating, “We are all hostages,” and appealing to the U.S. to “save Israel from Netanyahu.”
Ongoing Attacks and International Response
Despite the mounting protests, the Israeli military continues its assaults in the Gaza Strip, with reports indicating that at least 14 individuals lost their lives in fresh shelling today. The Palestinian news agency Wafa noted that drone strikes in Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian area, resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. These claims are yet to be independently verified.
Yesterday marked the most intense airstrikes since the ceasefire began, with the Israeli government justifying the actions as a response to Hamas’s repeated refusal to release hostages. Hamas, however, contests this narrative, holding the Israeli government accountable for the breakdown of the ceasefire due to their ongoing military presence and attacks. They claim that the recent bombings have resulted in over 400 fatalities, many of whom were civilians.
Global Leaders Call for Ceasefire
International voices are echoing calls for an end to the violence. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign affairs representative, labeled the Israeli actions in Gaza as “unacceptable” and questioned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar about their motivations. Kallas expressed deep concern over the rising civilian toll and the politicization of humanitarian aid.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the Israeli attacks as a “dramatic setback,” emphasizing the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to negotiations. He stressed that military solutions are not viable and called for mediation by the U.S. alongside Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who characterized the attacks as an “extremely dangerous step.”
Macron and Abdullah II have also underscored the importance of facilitating humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, including restoring essential services like water and electricity.
Calls for De-escalation by Foreign Minister Baerbock
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is advocating for an end to military operations. She arrived in Beirut for previously scheduled political discussions, warning of the risk of further regional escalation. Baerbock urged all parties to exercise restraint and adhere to international humanitarian law while returning to the negotiation table for a lasting resolution to the conflict.