Tel Aviv [Israel], September 2 (ANI): Israelis have taken to the streets in large numbers, demanding a ceasefire deal and the return of captives held by Hamas, Al Jazeera reported.
The protesters chanted “Now! Now!” and demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a ceasefire deal with Palestinian group Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.
Scuffles between the protesters and security forces were reported on Sunday night in one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in Israel since the Gaza war began nearly 11 months ago, as per Al Jazeera.
According to Al Jazeera, many protestors blocked roads in Tel Aviv and demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s office in West Jerusalem.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of captives held in Gaza, said the death of the six hostages was the direct result of Netanyahu’s failure to secure a deal to halt the fighting and bring their loved ones home.
“They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity,” the forum said.
Gil Dickmann, a cousin of Carmel Gat, whose body was among those returned, urged Israelis to put more pressure on their government.
Dickmann posted on X, “Take to the streets and shut down the country until everyone returns. They can still be saved,”
Meanwhile, in a first since October 7, Israel‘s largest trade union federation, the Histadrut, has called for a general strike to pressure the government into signing a ceasefire deal.
The Israeli military has killed at least 40,738 people and wounded 94,154 in its war on Gaza since October 7. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, with some 250 people seized by the group. (ANI)
“With or without British arms, Israel will win this war”: Benjamin Netanyahu after UK suspends arms licenses
Tel Aviv [Israel], September 3 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the British government’s decision to suspend thirty arms licences to Israel, asserting that regardless of the UK’s support, Israel remains resolute in its determination to emerge victorious in this conflict.
“With or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future,” posted the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel on X.
Denouncing it as a “shameful move that will not change Israel‘s determination to defeat Hamas,” he said, “Instead of standing with Israel, a fellow democracy defending itself against barbarism, Britain’s misguided decision will only embolden Hamas.”
Notably, Hamas savagely murdered 1200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens. Moreover, Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages, including 5 British citizens.
This comes after the UK announced to suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, citing a “clear risk” they could be used in serious breaches of international humanitarian law.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament on Monday that the partial ban covers items “which could be used in the current conflict in Gaza” against Hamas but did not include parts for F-35 fighter jets, according to Al Jazeera.
“Israel is pursuing a just war with just means, taking unprecedented measures to keep civilians out of harm’s way and comporting fully with international law,” added Netanyahu.
Netanyahu drew a historical parallel, and compared Israel‘s battle against Hamas to Britain’s fight against the Nazi regime during World War II, and said, “Just as Britain’s heroic stand against the Nazis is seen today as having been vital in defending our common civilization, so too will history judge Israel‘s stand against Hamas and Iran’s axis of terror.”
Netanyahu emphasised that Israel is conducting a just war, utilising just means, while taking unprecedented steps to minimise harm to civilians and adhering to international law.
“Israel is pursuing a just war with just means, taking unprecedented measures to keep civilians out of harm’s way and comporting fully with international law,” he said. (ANI)
