Some Israeli government members who oppose any deal with Hamas slammed Sunday’s demonstrations.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich decried “a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas” and calls for “surrender”.
However, Benny Gantz, an opposition leader, condemned the government for “attacking the families of the hostages” while “bearing responsibility for the captivity of their children by Hamas for nearly two years”.
“Israelis are not all alike. There is a substantial part … that opposes the official policy,” he added amid the crowd of protesters, some of them carrying flags emblazoned with “681”, the number of days hostages have been held in Gaza.
The police said more than 30 protesters were arrested.
Organisers had called for a general strike on the first day of the working week in Israel. Despite this, it was business as usual in Jerusalem’s main shopping district.
FAMINE WARNINGS
The Israeli plan to expand the war into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps has sparked an international outcry as well as domestic opposition.
On Sunday, Israeli military chief of staff Lieutenant General Eya Zamir said the army was moving ahead with a plan “focusing on Gaza City”.
Hamas warned it would result in “a new wave of extermination and mass displacement”.
Army Radio said residents would be evacuated before troops encircled and seized Gaza City in the coming weeks, with tens of thousands of reservists called up.
UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has heavily limited the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in.
