Thousands protest in Tel Aviv demanding immediate deal to end war

Tel Aviv’s main streets turned into mass protest sites on Monday evening as thousands of demonstrators blocked the vital Ayalon highway, escalating pressure on the 'Israeli' government to secure an urgent deal for the release of captives and to end the war.

According to Hebrew media, protesters carried photos of the captives and banners calling for an immediate ceasefire before pouring onto the highway, setting fires in some areas and bringing traffic to a complete halt.

The protests, now an almost weekly occurrence, reflect growing public anger over the government’s handling of the war and the captive crisis. Families of captives, peace activists, and citizens demanding a shift in political priorities all took part.

Demonstrators chanted directly against the government, accusing it of stalling, while police used water cannons and made scattered arrests in an attempt to disperse crowds and reopen the roads.

Protesters’ demands focus on two main points: an immediate deal to ensure the safe return of captives, and an end to a war they see as failing to meet its objectives while causing further loss of life.

These moves come amid stalled negotiations, intensifying domestic pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which is increasingly divided over the continuation and future of the war.