Biggest protest in one year presses Netanyahu for agreement and end of the war in Gaza

Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Israel on Sunday (17) in one of the largest demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Called by family members of kidnapped on October 7, 2023, the acts – which include a national strike – took the country to demand the end of the war against Palestinians and an immediate agreement that allows the return of hostages still detained in the Gaza Strip.

Some reports indicate that demonstrations have gathered 1 million people across the country, which have just under 10 million. The Israelis demand the resignation of the Prime Minister, seen with suspicion by increasing portions of society.

In Tel Aviv, the night concentration in the so -called Praça dos Hostilos was the largest since 2024: the organizers spoke in over 400,000 present around the square; Other coverage cited “almost half a million” at night.

Early on, main roads were blocked – among them Aylon (North and South, in Tel Aviv), Route 1 (Tel Aviv – Jerusalem), Route 4, Route 6 and Begin (in Jerusalem). There were tire burning at some points and interruption of traffic in tunnels and intersections.

Restaurants and cafes closed, several municipalities and companies joined, and universities – such as the Hebrew of Jerusalem – confirmed participation. Histadrut, the main trade union center, did not formally support the strike. Schools were not affected because they were in summer recess.

Throughout the day, police used water cannons to disperse blockages and reported dozens of arrests. At 14h, according to Reuters, there were 38 detained.

In other reports, there were 33 arrests throughout the day, with seven people still in custody at night. Aggressions were also recorded against protesters: in Tel Aviv, a truck tried to move on a group of the Nir Oz community; In Ra’anana, another trucker was accused of assaulting people in a blockade.

Around 4 pm, Sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities because of a yoke missile. The projectile was intercepted, and Israel’s Force of Defense (IDF) stated that it had slaughtered the missile. Protesters sought shelter and then the mobilization resumed.

Who was on the streets: hostage families, former reproaches and institutional support

The hijacked families led the agenda and the stage. Einav Zangauker, Matan’s mother, spoke in Tel Aviv and criticized the government after release a video of his son in captivity (recorded in January 2024 and recently found in Gaza).

In another public statement on the same Sunday, she responded to the speech of the prime minister that the protests “delay” the release of hostages, describing his message as “toxic and disconnected” and calling: “I call everyone-go to the streets!”

Other parents and relatives spoke at Praça dos hostage:

• Ophir Breslavskifather of Romsaid they received Sign of life son weeks ago and accused the political leadership of abandon the kidnapped.
• Rubi Chenfather of It is Chenstated that bring the children back It is a “Moral, ethical and Jewish duty”.
• Michel Ilouzfather of Guy Ilouz (whose body is in Gaza), said that “Bibi is afraid” of mobilization.
• Elad Orbrother of Dror Orevaluated that the strike “I brought the truth to the light” – The Israelis want the hostages at home.
• Miran-Lawi Miran-Lawione of the organizers, went to her husband Omri (kidnapped) in public message.
• Yehuda CohenFather of the Soldier Nimrod Cohenhardly attacked the prime minister during the march in Tel Aviv.

Former refens also spoke. Arbel Yehud, released in return during a ceasefire, said in Tel Aviv that “the only way to bring them back is through an agreement at once without games.”

Former display released in 2025 took the track “bring them back now!”. Actress Gal Gadot visited hostage square and met with family members. In the same square, relatives of a hijacked Nepal student spoke publicly, reporting absence of signs of life for almost two years.

Universities presidents attended and defended an agreement; Daniel Chamovitz (Ben-Gurion University) remembered March letter in which Rectors called for “completing the agreement and bring everyone back,” describing the collection as “moral and conscience”.

Act of the night in Tel Aviv and the decision to bring the protest to the border

In the evening, the concentration in the hostage square became the National Center for Mobilization. The hostage and missing families forum announced national strike and said: “Let’s paralyze the country today with a single call: bring back the 50 hostages, end with the war.”

The group warned that it intends to set up a camp near the Gaza border to expand the pressure. “If we don’t bring them now, let’s lose them forever,” warned one of the organizers.

There were also symbolic performances. Former refimmer Ilana Gritzewsky staged a “wedding ceremony” with fellow Matan Zangauker, still in captivity, to draw attention to the case.

At the end of the central rally, thousands marched to the headquarters of Likud, party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Fortaleza (Metzudat) Zeev, in Tel Aviv. Protesters lighting a fire on the road and were forcibly removed by the police.

What the government says; What families say

At the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated cynically that “those who today ask for the end of the war without defeating Hamas are not only hardening the position of Hamas and pushing the release from our hostages, but they are also ensuring that the atrocities of 7 October repeat again and new.”

Netanyahu reaffirmed that he was “determined to implement” the decision of the security office to conquer the city of Gaza – a point that motivated this Sunday’s strike.

The hostage families forum countered in a statement, accusing the prime minister of “deceiving the public” and rejecting opportunities to bring the captives back:

“For 22 months the hostages are languishing in Gaza – under their responsibility.” The text maintains that “there were many opportunities” and that “those who torpedo, rejected and avoided [um acordo] It’s the one who raised the price. ”

The forum also stated that “hundreds of thousands” joined the protests and that “thousands of companies” closed their doors to allow the participation of workers.

In the opposition, Yair Lapid participated in the protests and stated that the hostages “are not pawns” and should be returned to families. Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also joined the stoppage and said there was “supreme duty to bring everyone back,” defending the sequence: first return the hostages, then continue to eliminate Hamas.