TEHRAN — Escalating protests in Israel against the regime’s failed military strategy in Gaza have exposed deep internal divisions.

Protesters calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the return of captives took to the streets across Israel. Some demonstrators torched tires and blocked highways in Tel Aviv, while others rallied outside the homes of senior ministers, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Education Minister Yoav Kisch, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and Innovation Minister Gila Gamliel.

Israeli media also reported rallies near a US embassy branch in the city.

At a news conference in Tel Aviv, families of captives held in Gaza accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of failing them and demanded an immediate deal for their release.

“Advancing the plan to conquer Gaza while there is an agreement lying on the table for the prime minister’s signature is a stab in the heart of the families and the entire nation,” said Itzik Horn, father of two captives, one of whom is still being held in Gaza.

Einav Zangauker, the mother of an Israeli captive, also accused Netanyahu of not returning the captives because of personal interests.

"We could have ended the war a year ago and brought all the hostages and soldiers home. We could have saved them, but the prime minister has chosen again and again to sacrifice civilians for his rule," she said.

Yehuda Cohen, father of another captive, said, “More than 80 percent want an end to the war and a hostage deal. All of Israel wants an end to this nightmare … Today, on day 690, we demand that the Israeli government go to a deal and release all the hostages; you owe them this.”

Hamas launched a surprise military operation in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 1,100 people were killed, and more than 250 were taken captive. The vast majority have been released during ceasefires. Israel has only rescued eight captives alive. Fifty captives remain in Gaza, and around 20 are believed by Israel to be alive. 

Israeli protesters argue that the government’s expanded military operation in Gaza will endanger the lives of the remaining captives. But their calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears.

The Israeli army is preparing to expand its offensive into densely populated areas of northern Gaza. Netanyahu and his allies say the offensive is needed to crush Hamas.

Calls for a ceasefire have also grown worldwide after Israel struck southern Gaza’s main hospital on Monday, killing 20 people, including five journalists. Most of those killed in the attack on Nasser Hospital died after rushing to the scene of the first blast, only to be hit by a second strike. This has sparked shock and outrage among press freedom advocates and Palestinians.

The Israeli army, which launched the war on Gaza after Hamas’ October 7 military operation, has so far killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
However, the Netanyahu administration has failed to achieve its goal of defeating Hamas and securing the release of the remaining captives through military means.

Netanyahu’s failed military strategy in Gaza is deepening Israel’s domestic and international isolation, with the government facing growing accusations of committing genocide in Gaza.