Thousands of Israelis continue to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, demanding fresh elections and the release of hostages in Gaza as the war reaches its six-month mark. Demonstrations have been escalating, with tens of thousands protesting for multiple nights. Pressure is also mounting on Netanyahu from allies like the United States over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. President Biden has threatened to reassess U.S. policy on the conflict if immediate action is not taken to address the humanitarian situation.
International officials have marked this grim milestone, with the U.N. Secretary General calling for the release of hostages and an end to the conflict, which has caused immense death and destruction. The World Health Organization has reported the destruction of hospitals in Gaza and the dire state of the health care system. Cease-fire negotiations are expected to resume in Cairo, with attempts to secure the release of remaining hostages and increase aid deliveries to Gaza. Anti-government protests in Tel Aviv have turned violent, with clashes between protesters and police.
The Israeli military has recovered the body of a kidnapped Israeli hostage, Elad Katzir, from Gaza, confirming his death in captivity. His family has accused the Israeli leadership of abandoning him and the other hostages in Gaza. Meanwhile, international efforts to aid Gaza, such as sending a Royal Navy ship from Britain, are underway to address the humanitarian crisis. The World Health Organization has denounced the conditions in Gaza’s hospitals, describing them as nonfunctional and highlighting the impact of the conflict on civilians. World Central Kitchen has demanded an independent investigation into the killing of its aid workers by IDF airstrikes. The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with thousands killed and injured since the conflict began.
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