Protesters in Tel Aviv, Rome and Paris called on Netanyahu to accept the ceasefire proposal
Protesters in Tel Aviv and around the world on Saturday called on Israeli leaders to accept the latest roadmap for a ceasefire and the return of hostages in Gaza, a day after President Biden said it had arrived. when the war ended.
Forum for hostages and missing families in Israel say it is launched an “emergency campaign” to pressure government members to accept the declaration outlined by President Biden on Friday. The plan would begin with an immediate, temporary ceasefire and work toward the return of all hostages, a permanent end to the war, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
“The forum demands the return of all hostages, some for rehabilitation and others for burial, without missing the opportunity to bring them home,” the team said in a statement on social media.
The group demands “immediate approval of the agreement,” the statement said, adding, “Don’t miss this moment!”
Mr. Netanyahu still calls for the complete destruction of Hamas and the release of all hostages before the end of the war. And two of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners – Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir – have threatened to quit their government if he goes ahead with the proposal.
The debate over the latest proposal has breathed new life into the protests held every Saturday in Tel Aviv. Thousands of protesters rallied on the streets there and in other parts of Israel on Saturday night in support of the proposal.
Some protesters covered themselves in fake blood, and others walked through the streets holding Israeli flags and signs that read “Bring them home.” Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, reported that protesters had blocked traffic in northern Israel and at least three people had been detained.
Haaretz also reported that thousands of protesters gathered near Netanyahu’s home in Caesarea, a coastal town located between Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Protesters also gathered in Rome, Paris and Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday.
The United States also continues its efforts to promote regional efforts toward a ceasefire in Gaza.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Saturday spoke with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, the Prime Minister of Qatar and the Qatari Foreign Minister. Egypt and Qatar are working to help broker a deal. In his calls, Mr. Blinken spoke of the urgent need for a ceasefire and called on Hamas to accept the agreement immediately, speak Matthew Miller, spokesman for the State Department.
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