Tens of thousands of Israelis rally against Netanyahu's government

(Patria) - Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered last night in front of the parliament building in Jerusalem for the largest anti-government demonstrations since the country entered the war in October against the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Protesters called on the government to reach an agreement on the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and to hold early parliamentary elections.

Almost six months after the start of the war, divisions have resurfaced in Israeli society.

Hamas killed about 1,200 people during its cross-border attack on October 7 and took 250 people hostage.

About half of the hostages were released during a one-week truce in November, but attempts by international mediators to reach another ceasefire are currently stalled.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring all hostages home.

Protest organizers have vowed that the demonstrations will continue for several days. They called on the government to cancel the upcoming parliamentary recess and hold new elections about two years ahead of schedule.

Netanyahu, in a speech on national television before undergoing surgery, said he understood the pain of the hostages' families.

"I will do everything to bring the hostages home," he said, adding that holding new elections at this time would paralyze Israel's ability to continue hostage negotiations.

Netanyahu reiterated his desire for a military ground offensive in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where more than a million residents have taken refuge from the conflict in the rest of the Palestinian territory.

"There is no victory without entering Rafah," the Israeli prime minister stated.

Western countries and humanitarian organizations have warned of a catastrophe if such a ground offensive occurs.