Thousands Of Israelis Demand Disbandment Of Government And Elections Immediately

PM Benjamin Netanyahu while chairing the Israeli War Cabinet meeting. (Source: GPO/Kobi Gideon)

Thousands of Israelis on Saturday demonstrated in a number of cities demanding the dissolution of the government, along with protests by the family of hostages detained in Gaza in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence.

According to the daily Yedioth Ahronoth, "nines of Israelis staged protests in the city of Haifa, at the intersection of Campiv, against the government, demanding an immediate election."

"The action started in the Carmel area in the city of Haifa to protest centers at the Campiv intersection," the daily added, quoted by Antara.

While in the city of Kfar Saba, near Tel Aviv, hundreds of demonstrators called for the slogan "Pemilu Sekarang," the newspaper said.

Protesters demanded the sacking of Netanyahu and an immediate election, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

Hundreds of residents also demonstrated in Ra'ana town near Tel Aviv, calling for the dissolution of the government.

Netanyahu is facing criticism attacks from the Israeli people and some politicians as a result of the Israeli hostage crisis in Gaza and failing to find a way to ensure their security returns to Israel.

Dozens of hostages' families in Gaza demonstrated in front of Netanyahu's residence in the city of Caesarea (utara) demanding their release.

Yedioth Ahronoth said "for the second week in a row, the hostages' families in Gaza have been protesting in front of Netanyahu's house in Caesarea."

Israeli officials estimate there have been around 136 hostages still detained in Gaza since Hamas launched an attack on Israeli military points and settlements near Gaza on October 7.

The Palestinian resistance faction, led by Hamas, arrested about 239 people in cities near Gaza and in November exchanged dozens of prisoners with Israel during a seven-day humanitarian break.

In exchange, Palestinian prisoner institutions reported that Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners from their prisons, including 71 female prisoners and 169 children.

Despite the International Court's decision, Israel continues to carry out intense attacks on the Gaza Strip that killed at least 26,257 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and 64,797 people have been injured since October 7, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Israeli attacks have left 85 percent of Gaza's population displaced amid food shortages, clean water, and medicines, while 60 percent of infrastructure in the enclave is damaged or destroyed, according to the United Nations.