Mass Protests Erupt in Tel Aviv Over Gaza Offensive
On Saturday, August 10, 2025, thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv to protest the government’s decision to escalate its military operations in the Gaza Strip, demanding an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas, reports 24brussels.
The demonstration was marked by powerful testimonies from families of hostages. Lishay Miran Lavi, whose husband, Omri Miran, is among the captives, emphasized the severity of the situation: “This is not just a military decision. It could be a death sentence for the people we love most.”
Another protester, Nira Sharabi, whose husband, Yossi Sharabi, died in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, criticized the government’s handling of the conflict. “Yossi could have come back to us if they had brought everyone back quickly and decisively. No woman should experience what I have experienced,” she told the gathered crowd.
The protests were sparked by the Israeli government’s security cabinet’s approval of a plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand military operations with the intent to seize Gaza City, where around one million Palestinians reside, many of whom have been displaced by the ongoing conflict.
This decision has met with fierce opposition from the families of Israeli hostages still in Gaza, with figures indicating there are approximately 30 fatalities and 20 surviving captives, according to Israeli sources. Military officials have also expressed concerns that further escalation could jeopardize the lives of the hostages and result in significant casualties among Israeli forces, which have been heavily engaged in conflict in Gaza for nearly two years.
According to the Gazan Ministry of Health, the ongoing conflict has resulted in 61,369 Palestinian deaths and approximately 152,850 injuries since October 7, 2023.
