Thousands rally in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu's Gaza City takeover plan

Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied on Saturday over Israel's decision for a military takeover of Gaza City, in what local media called one of the largest anti-government protests in recent months following 22 months of war.

Hostages' families pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government amid new fears for the 50 remaining hostages, with 20 of them thought to be alive and struggling.

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held in Gaza, called on Israelis, including the powerful Histadrut labour union, to “help us save the hostages, the soldiers and the state of Israel” and appeared to call for a general strike: “Shut the country down.”

A joint statement by nine countries, including Germany, Britain, France and Canada, said that they “strongly reject” Israel's decision for the large-scale military operation.

The takeover of Gaza City would worsen the “catastrophic humanitarian situation," endanger hostages and further risk mass displacement, the statement said. Any attempts at annexation or settlement in Gaza violate international law, it added.

A separate statement by more than 20 countries, including ceasefire mediators Egypt and Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, called Israel's decision a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation”.

Ceasefire efforts appeared to be reviving with Israel’s announcement. US special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to meet with Qatar’s prime minister in Spain on Saturday to discuss a new proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war, according to two officials familiar with the talks, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak with the media.

Mediators Egypt and Qatar are preparing a new ceasefire framework that would include the release of all hostages — dead and alive — in one go in return for the war’s end and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, two Arab officials have told AP.

The UN Security Council planned an emergency meeting Sunday.

The Friday announcement came as humanitarian organisations continue to warn of severe conditions in Gaza, where widespread hunger and displacement are mounting daily. 

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, destroyed over 60% of the enclave’s buildings and infrastructure, and brought most of its 2 million residents to the brink of famine.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage.

Israel’s subsequent offensive resulted in the deaths of over 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, whose figures do not distinguish between fighters and civilians.   

The Israeli military says nearly 900 of its soldiers have died since the start of the war.