Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Israeli cities again today to protest against the far-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In Tel Aviv, protesters demanded early elections as well as the release of hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Demonstrations were also held in other cities, such as Jerusalem and Haifa.

A woman who was taken hostage and released as part of a Hamas/Israel deal and whose husband is still being held in Gaza spoke at the Tel Aviv rally, calling on Netanyahu to release the hostages. “Bring them back!” he said.

The woman called on the prime minister to give the Israeli negotiating team a “broad mandate” to negotiate a deal to free the remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire in the war in the Gaza Strip and the release of Palestinian prisoners. “Don’t go back without a deal, bring back our loved ones,” he said.

Israel

According to the Israeli news agency ynet, a former head of military intelligence, Amos Malka, called on Netanyahu to resign. “The government is sacrificing hostages, isolating Israel and strengthening Hamas,” he said at a demonstration in Caesarea.

Opponents of the government are planning large demonstrations in Jerusalem starting tomorrow, Sunday, and in the following days.