Israelis protest outside government headquarters after new wave of Gaza airstrikes

Israelis gathered in protest outside government buildings in Jerusalem after the military killed over 400 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip - its heaviest assault in the region since a tentative ceasefire took hold in January.  

Families of hostages held by Hamas called on supporters to protest with them outside the Israeli parliament, saying the resumption of fighting in Gaza puts their loved ones at risk. 

“I could not sit in the office today after the night we’ve been through, after the vicious step that Netanyahu and his government took,” said Efrat Ben Barak, protesting outside the parliament. “Netanyahu probably felt that the walls are closing in on him with the protests on the rise.” 

Another protester named Joni Sar said: “The only explanation one can see for the war restarting now is coalitional needs of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, that he needs to strengthen the staying power of the coalition to keep himself out of the investigations and out of jail.” 

An Israeli statement said they had carried out the deadly airstrikes after Hamas refused to release hostages held in the Gaza Strip – in an operation which they warned was open-ended and expected to expand. 

“Hamas rejected two concrete mediation proposals presented by the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff,” said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein. “Israel agreed to those mediation proposals. Hamas refused them.” 

Netanyahu has faced heavy pressure from the families of Israeli hostages to get them freed since the start of the war. He also faces pressure from far-right coalition members to continue the war and end Hamas. 

UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan said on Tuesday he was “horrified” by the Israeli airstrikes and called for the “unconditional release” of remaining Israeli hostages. 

He asked “all states with influence to do all in their power to achieve peace and avoid further suffering of civilians.” 

“Israel’s resort to yet more military force will only heap further misery upon a Palestinian population already suffering catastrophic conditions. This nightmare must end immediately,” he said. 

The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel’s actions.