Pressure is building on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at home, after Hamas agreed to the ceasefire proposal brokered by Qatar and Egypt. Thousands of people have been holding demonstrations demanding his government agree to a deal, to bring captives held in Gaza back home.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

Israelis are urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas, following the militant group’s acceptance of a proposal brokered by Qatar and Egypt. Demonstrations have erupted, with thousands taking to the streets to pressure Netanyahu’s government into securing an agreement that would see captives held in Gaza returned to Israel.

In Tel Aviv, large crowds have blocked highways as a form of protest against the Israeli war cabinet's decision to proceed with a military offensive in Rafah, a move they fear endangers their captured relatives. The intensification of military action, including airstrikes in eastern Rafah, has escalated concerns among the population for the safety of both the hostages and the Israeli military, as well as the potential for increased Palestinian civilian casualties.

Protesters argue that the opportunity to safely return the captives could be lost if the Israeli government does not accept the ceasefire proposal put forth by Hamas. In the midst of these demonstrations, Netanyahu has acknowledged the ongoing ceasefire negotiations but maintains that the current proposal does not align with Israel's requirements for a ceasefire, specifically the disarmament of Hamas. Despite this, he has indicated that Israel will send a delegation to Cairo for further discussions.



Israelis call on Netanyahu to accept ceasefire deal

Thousands of protesters block a highway in Tel Aviv. They're demanding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government brings captives held in Gaza back home. Anger's been building after the war cabinet announced it will go ahead with a military offensive in Rafah, putting the lives of their relatives at risk. I think that our government is not willing to cease fire and that's why I'm so worried. I think our government is about to enter Rafah and this will be a death sentence for the hostages and as well for our soldiers and for many, many, many Palestinians. Israel has already conducted airstrikes in eastern Rafah. Our absolutely crazy government wants to enter Rafah. It wants to continue the war instead and it will not bring any peace. It will kill more Palestinian civilians of course, it will kill our soldiers and it will kill our hostages. Demonstrators say the window to bring captives back home safely will close if ministers don't agree the proposal accepted by Hamas. For sure after Hamas told us they accept the deal, we should say yes, let's sit and talk and do anything we can do to bring the hostages home. We call on our government to accept this. After months of stalemate, ceasefire negotiations appear to be at a critical stage. Netanyahu says the latest proposal doesn't meet Israel's demands, including the destruction of Hamas. But he says Israel will send a delegation to Cairo for talks. Barbara Angopa, Al Jazeera.

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Israel-Gaza War