Israeli Protesters Block Highways, Demand Cease-Fire to Bring Back Hostages as War Enters Ninth Month

As the war in Gaza marks its ninth month, Israeli protesters took to the streets on July 7, blocking highways across the country and calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down. The demonstrations come as international mediators have intensified their efforts to broker a deal, with Hamas appearing to have dropped a key demand for an Israeli commitment to end the war.

The protests, dubbed the “Day of Disruption,” began at 6:29 A.M., the moment Hamas militants launched the first rockets towards Israel in October. Thousands of protesters gathered outside the homes of Israeli parliament members, blocking main roads and releasing 1,500 black and yellow balloons to symbolize the 1,200 people killed and 250 others taken hostage.

Hannah Golan, a protester, expressed her frustration with the government’s handling of the crisis, saying, “It’s nine months today, to this black day, and still nobody in our government takes responsibility.” The Israeli Prime Minister had previously stated that he was open to pausing the war as part of a hostage deal, but Israel would continue to press on until it achieves its goals of destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities and bringing home all those held captive.

Meanwhile, fighting in Gaza continued, with nine Palestinians reported dead from Israeli strikes overnight and into the early hours of Sunday. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike killed at least 16 people and wounded at least 50 others in a school-turned-shelter in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The Israeli military claimed they were targeting Hamas militants and had taken “numerous steps” to reduce civilian casualties.

In a separate incident, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched dozens of projectiles towards northern Israel, targeting areas more than 30 kilometers from the border. A 28-year-old Israeli man was seriously wounded in the attack.

International mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have been working to reach an agreement, with a compromise on Saturday by Hamas potentially delivering the first pause in fighting since November. The proposed deal would start with a six-week cease-fire during which older, sick, and female hostages would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

War-weary Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, however, appear pessimistic about the possibility of reaching a cease-fire. “We have lived nine months of suffering,” said Heba Radi, a displaced Palestinian woman. “The cease-fire has become a distant dream.” Zakia Hasanein, an 80-year-old Palestinian woman, appealed to Netanyahu and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to agree on a cease-fire, saying, “We have lived like the dead.”

The Israel-Hamas war has caused widespread damage in Gaza, with Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting, and the breakdown of law and order curtailing humanitarian aid efforts and sparking fears of famine. The top U.N. court has concluded that there is a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza, a charge Israel strongly denies.

Historical Context:

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a long and complex history, with roots dating back to the early 20th century. The conflict has been marked by numerous outbreaks of violence, including wars, terrorist attacks, and protests. The current war in Gaza, which began in October 2022, is the latest escalation in the conflict.

In October 2022, Hamas militants launched a series of rocket attacks against Israel, which led to a military response from the Israeli military. The conflict has since escalated, with both sides suffering significant losses. The war has caused widespread damage in Gaza, with Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting, and the breakdown of law and order curtailing humanitarian aid efforts and sparking fears of famine.

The conflict has also had significant international implications, with the United States, Egypt, and Qatar working to broker a cease-fire. The proposed deal, which would start with a six-week cease-fire during which older, sick, and female hostages would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, is seen as a potential breakthrough in the negotiations.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Israeli protesters blocked highways across the country, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down and demanding a cease-fire to bring back hostages. • The protests, dubbed the “Day of Disruption,” began at 6:29 A.M., the moment Hamas militants launched the first rockets towards Israel in October. • Thousands of protesters gathered outside the homes of Israeli parliament members, blocking main roads and releasing 1,500 black and yellow balloons to symbolize the 1,200 people killed and 250 others taken hostage. • The Israeli Prime Minister had previously stated that he was open to pausing the war as part of a hostage deal, but Israel would continue to press on until it achieves its goals of destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities and bringing home all those held captive. • Fighting in Gaza continued, with nine Palestinians reported dead from Israeli strikes overnight and into the early hours of Sunday. • The Gaza Health Ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike killed at least 16 people and wounded at least 50 others in a school-turned-shelter in the Nuseirat refugee camp. • International mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have been working to reach an agreement, with a compromise on Saturday by Hamas potentially delivering the first pause in fighting since November. • The proposed deal would start with a six-week cease-fire during which older, sick, and female hostages would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. • War-weary Palestinians in the Gaza Strip appear pessimistic about the possibility of reaching a cease-fire. • The Israel-Hamas war has caused widespread damage in Gaza, with Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting, and the breakdown of law and order curtailing humanitarian aid efforts and sparking fears of famine. • The top U.N. court has concluded that there is a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza, a charge Israel strongly denies.