Thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv yesterday to demand an end to the war in Gaza, the day after the government's decision to occupy Gaza City , responding to the appeal of the Forum of Families of Israeli Hostages and Missing Persons.

Protesters held signs and photos of hostages still held by Hamas and affiliated groups in Gaza, calling on the Netanyahu government to secure their release. A highway was also blocked .

Netanyahu's plan calls for the occupation of Gaza City and the evacuation of over a million Palestinians, to be completed in two months, by October 7. "It will not be a picnic, there will be no surrender, it is an adventure that will be costly," warns Hamas .

We are thus entering a new phase of the conflict. The key principles of the new offensive were detailed in a statement from the Prime Minister's office: dismantling Hamas's arsenal, returning all hostages, demilitarizing the Strip, Israeli security oversight, and—last but not least—establishing an alternative civil administration, one that will not be entrusted to Hamas or the Palestinian National Authority . It is estimated that at least 60,000 soldiers will be deployed.

The plan was not appreciated by either the IDF or the hostages' families: the former said it risked ending up in a "black hole," while the latter feared that the plan would inevitably lead to the sacrifice of their loved ones still in Hamas's hands.

And even his own government ministers are criticizing Netanyahu. Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister, is firmly opposed to the occupation of Gaza City: "I have lost faith that the prime minister can and wants to lead the Israeli army to victory." But he doesn't seem to have any intention of resigning: "I even supported moves that, in my opinion, were less correct, and I remained in government."

(Unioneonline/L)

© Riproduzione riservata