Tel Aviv, Mar 17 : Thousands of protesters have gathered in the center of Tel Aviv demanding early elections in Israel and the immediate conclusion of a deal to free hostages held by Palestinian movement Hamas from the Gaza Strip, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The protests are taking place near the complex of government buildings, where the Israeli Defense Ministry’s headquarters are located. Police forces have been stationed at the site to block traffic in the city center and erect barriers.

The rallies are now proceeding peacefully without clashes or detentions, but more and more protesters are joining the demonstration, holding national flags and chanting slogans calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday.

A mass action to support the Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip is taking place near the defense ministry’s headquarters to demand that the Israeli government reach an agreement and liberate the hostages.

The rally comes amid a conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel launched a military operation in the Palestinian enclave in response to a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, in which some 1,100 Israelis — military personnel and civilians — were killed and 240 others abducted.

More than 31,500 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israel’s military actions and more than 76,000 have been wounded, according to local authorities.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

UNI