Israel Faces Intensifying Protests as Netanyahu Holds Firm on Gaza Campaign

Tens of thousands of Israelis took part in demonstrations across the country on Tuesday, calling for a ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has ordered its military to speed up preparations for a ground offensive. Despite warnings of catastrophic consequences for Palestinians and growing global anger over a strike on a hospital that killed 20 people, Netanyahu has refused to back down, sparking criticism that he is prolonging the war to extend his personal political career. Relatives of hostages led the biggest march and rally in Tel Aviv, while hundreds gathered outside the prime minister's office in Jerusalem as the security cabinet met to discuss the war.

Key Takeaways:

• Israel's military has been ordered to speed up preparations for a ground offensive in Gaza City, despite warnings of catastrophic consequences for Palestinians.
• A majority of Israelis back ending the war as part of a ceasefire deal to free all remaining hostages, driven by concerns about hostages still in Gaza and the impact of two years of war on Israeli society and its economy.
• Nearly three-quarters of Jewish Israelis partially or totally agree with the claim made by Israel's government that "there are no innocents in Gaza", according to polling this week.
• Among the dozens of protests held across the country, relatives of hostages led the biggest march and rally in Tel Aviv, while hundreds gathered outside the prime minister's office in Jerusalem.
• Netanyahu's government has been under intense global pressure, with Qatar's foreign ministry calling on Israel to respond to a ceasefire and hostage release deal for Gaza, which has been accepted by Hamas.
• Critics, including the relatives of hostages in Gaza, claim Netanyahu is prolonging the war to extend his personal political career, while he maintains that military force is the best way to protect Israel's security and pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages.

Statistics:

• Nearly three-quarters (73% or 75% not specified in the article which to include) of Jewish Israelis partially or totally agree with the claim made by Israel's government that "there are no innocents in Gaza".
• 78% of Jewish Israelis said they were "not so troubled" or "not troubled" at all by reports of Palestinian suffering, according to a survey earlier this month.
• Over 20 people, including 5 journalists, were killed in a strike on a hospital.
• The protests on Tuesday involved tens of thousands of people across the country.
• Ben Netanyahu has been in office for over two years.
• The war has lasted for over two years.

Sources:

• Haaretz
• Qatari foreign ministry press statement.