Tens of thousands of people demonstrated again in Israel against Prime Minister Netanyahu. They are calling for new elections – because they do not believe in a military liberation of the hostages in the Gaza Strip. The Prime Minister needs surgery because of a hernia.
Protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continue in Israel. In front of the parliament in Jerusalem, tens of thousands of demonstrators demanded new elections and a quick agreement to release the hostages held by the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas. Israeli news agency N12 News reported the largest demonstration since the start of the war. Thousands of people demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. The planned large-scale demonstrations are scheduled to last four days.
Opposition leader Jair Lapid sharply criticized Netanyahu. The head of government is destroying Israel’s relations with the US and leaving the Hamas hostages to their fate, he said. “Everything for politics, nothing for the country.”
No agreement with Hamas
Netanyahu firmly rejected criticism of his conduct of the negotiations and calls for a new election. “Calls for an election now, at the height of the war, a moment before victory, will paralyze Israel for at least six months, in my estimation even eight months,” he said at a news conference.
A new election would also paralyze negotiations over the release of more hostages in return for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of Palestinian prisoners, Netanyahu said. This would “bring about an end to the war before the goals are achieved” and thus play into the hands of Hamas. Netanyahu once again made it clear that he is sticking to his course: “We will enter Rafah and wipe out all the Hamas battalions there, for one reason: without that, there is no victory. The destruction of Hamas is a key goal of this war, in addition also includes the return of the hostages.”
However, talks for a ceasefire have now stalled. There was no agreement with Hamas. According to reports, an Israeli delegation traveled to Cairo today for new talks.
Netanyahu needs surgery for hernia
Netanyahu has to undergo surgery because of a hernia. His office announced this. Netanyahu said he wanted to return quickly. Justice Minister Jariv Levin, who is also deputy prime minister, will take over in his absence.
During a routine checkup on Saturday, the 74-year-old was diagnosed with a hernia, his office said. In the past he was often hospitalized for health problems. He had a pacemaker inserted last summer.