Israel boils over Gaza war: Demand for release of hostages and ceasefire intensifies, why are protests increasing?

Tel Aviv: Protests against the Gaza War are intensifying in Israel. The war, which began after a Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israeli civilians. Now, 18 months later, Israeli citizens are taking to the streets, raising their voices for the release of hostages, ceasefire, and against the policies of the Netanyahu government. These protests intensified after the ceasefire broke in March 2025. Let us analyze the reasons for this growing protest based on facts and latest developments.

Reason for protests: Hostage crisis and humanitarian tragedy

The main reason for the protests in Israel is the delay in the release of 59 people held hostage by Hamas, 24 of whom are expected to be alive. The "Bring Them Home Now" movement has been demonstrating every week in Tel Aviv, accusing Netanyahu of failure to release the hostages. The protesters believe that resuming the war is putting the hostages at risk.

Israel intensified attacks on Gaza after a two-month ceasefire broke down in March 2025, killing more than 600 Palestinians. According to Gaza health officials, the war has killed more than 50,000 people so far, mostly women and children. These casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza prompted some groups in Israel, such as Standing Together, to raise their voices against the war.

Voices of Holocaust Survivors

Thousands of people, including Holocaust survivors, gathered in Tel Aviv on Holocaust Memorial Day on April 25, 2025. 89-year-old Ruth Vlishouver Falk said, "If the Germans had raised their voices against the Nazis in the 1930s, we might not have been genocide. Speaking up is not an option for me, it is a necessity." 80-year-old Veronica Cohen linked her pain to the deaths of children and starvation in Gaza. These protesters are demanding to stop the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by repeating the slogan "Never Again".

Increasing pressure on the Netanyahu government

The protesters accuse the Netanyahu government of prolonging the war for political gain. According to a survey by the Israel Democracy Institute, 70% of Israelis consider the release of hostages to be the primary goal of the war, while 60% believe that the goals of eliminating Hamas and releasing the hostages cannot be achieved simultaneously. Many accuse Netanyahu of escalating the war to save his right-wing coalition government.

Protesters in Tel Aviv blocked streets and chanted, "If there is no deal, we will burn the country." At a demonstration outside the Defense Ministry on March 22, Enav Tsangoukar, the mother of hostage Matan, accused Netanyahu of "sacrificing" the hostages.

Military and social discontent

Israeli military reservists are also speaking out against the war. Major Nir Avishai Cohen wrote on Facebook that he is leaving reserve duty because the war is now being fought for Netanyahu's coalition government. Thousands of retired soldiers, pilots, doctors, and professors have written letters demanding an end to the war.

In addition, the halt to humanitarian aid in Gaza and the more than 50,000 casualties have raised moral questions in Israeli society. Standing Together demonstrated on Holocaust Memorial Day carrying empty pots, symbolizing the hunger in Gaza. Some protesters were chanting "Stop the Genocide", although the government rejects these allegations.

Repression of demonstrations

Anti-war demonstrations in Israel have faced police repression. Six people were arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Haifa in May 2024. Three people were detained at a demonstration against the Nuseirat massacre in June 2024. Those expressing pro-Palestinian sentiments, such as a doctor and school principal, have faced job suspensions or investigations.

Experts' analysis

Shira Efron of the Israel Policy Forum says resuming the war is Netanyahu's attempt to appease his right-wing allies. Experts believe the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the hostage crisis have exposed deep divisions in Israeli society. Some say regional instability will increase without a ceasefire.