Families of hostages protest Gaza war escalation in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Saturday in what were described as major rallies protesting Israel’s war on Gaza, the Netanyahu government, and demanding the release of the remaining hostages in the devastated Palestinian territory.

According to Israeli media, protesters marked the 600th day of the war, with anger intensifying following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appointment of Major General David Zini as the new chief of Israel’s domestic intelligence service Shin Bet.

The Shin Bet has been at the centre of an escalating political dispute, with Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition clashing with critics ranging from security officials to the families of hostages held in Gaza.

The agency’s chief, Ronen Bar, announced his resignation in April, stating he would step down on 15 June- six weeks after Netanyahu attempted to remove him from his post.

Protesters have since criticised Shin Bet chief nominee Zini, who was reportedly opposed to a ceasefire and hostage deals, according to Israel’s Channel 12, claiming that the Gaza conflict is a "forever war".

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum condemned Zini’s reported remarks in a statement, saying: "The families of the kidnapped are outraged by the words of Major General Zini. If... true, these are shocking and condemnable words coming from someone who will be the one to decide the fate of the kidnapped men and women."

At a protest rally in Tel Aviv, Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan remains in captivity, addressed the Israeli Prime Minister during a speech, quoted by Israeli news site Haaretz, stating: "Tell me, Mr Prime Minister: How do you go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning? How do you look in the mirror knowing that you are abandoning 58 kidnapped men and women and abusing their families?"

Zangauker also criticised Netanyahu’s Shin Bet appointee, Zini, arguing that the Prime Minister aimed to "appoint a person who declares he is against returning my son as the new chief of Shin Bet, which is responsible for returning my son."

She added: "Remember this moment, because it will be remembered for generations to come."

"The Israeli government and its leader have knowingly decided to abandon our children."

According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the families of the captives participated in the main demonstration in Tel Aviv, which was spearheaded by activist lawyer Eliad Shraga, head of Israel’s Movement for Quality Government, an anti-corruption watchdog.

Israeli media also reported a protest led by the captives’ families outside the Kirya military headquarters.

Similar rallies took place in other locations, including the central city of Rehovot, the coastal city of Haifa, and at the Karkur Junction near Wadi Ara.

Thousands of Israelis also marched in the city of Kiryat Bialik, calling for the release of Matan Angrest, an Israeli soldier taken hostage during the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023.

Further protests were held in Jerusalem, including a large gathering at Paris Square, close to the prime minister’s official residence.

Activists, including the families of hostages, have consistently condemned the intensified Israeli attacks following the government’s March announcement to escalate its offensive in Gaza, which followed the abrupt collapse of a two-month ceasefire.

Critics within Israel have warned that the assault could lead to the deaths of the remaining hostages and have voiced concern over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to appoint Zini as the new head of Shin Bet.

On Thursday, Shraga’s NGO, the Movement for Quality Government, announced plans to file a legal petition to block the appointment, arguing that the move "defies the legal system and the rule of law in Israel."

Gaza’s health ministry reported on Sunday that at least 3,785 people have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire collapsed on 18 March, bringing the overall death toll of the war to 53,939, mostly civilians.