The protests led to road closures, with demonstrators protesting at hundreds of locations across Israel. They blocked major streets, particularly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The police arrested a number of protesters as part of a general strike day and disruption of life in Israel.
According to the organizers of the protests, including the families of prisoners and the ‘October Council,’ the demonstrators want to pressure the Israeli government to agree to a comprehensive deal that ends the war and returns the prisoners without delay.
More than a million Israelis responded to participate in various protest activities after several municipalities, including Tel Aviv, joined the strike, according to Israeli media.
Israeli media reported that ‘hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the headquarters of the Likud party, set fires, and clashed with the police.’ The Israeli police forces prevented the demonstrators from reaching the entrance of the building, while footage on social media showed violent altercations between the police and the protesters, who were chanting.
Arab media confirmed that representatives from Egypt and Qatar conveyed the new initiative to the movement in the presence of leaders from several Palestinian factions. It is noted that ‘Hamas’ and its leadership held a series of meetings in Cairo. Their leaders and those of some factions also held meetings to push forward any agreement to thwart Israel’s plan regarding the occupation of Gaza.
