Thousands of Israelis joined protests over the weekend calling for a deal to bring home hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas, early elections and the immediate resignation of Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister.
The large protests came amid renewed fighting in Gaza, where Israeli troops have advanced for the first time towards the centre of Rafah, the territory’s southernmost city, and launched operations in several northern areas where fierce clashes have previously taken place.
In the northern city of Haifa, protesters marched behind a banner reading “May every Israeli parent remember they put their child’s life in the hands of Netanyahu, who fails them”, while hundreds gathered outside the prime minister’s private home in Caesarea, 25 miles (40km) away.
Many Israelis say no one has taken responsibility for the failures that allowed militants to break through Gaza’s $1.1bn perimeter fence and hunt down civilians in their homes or at a music festival for hours before the army arrived in sufficient strength to protect survivors.
In a recent poll in Ma’ariv newspaper, more than half of respondents said Netanyahu, who could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted in ongoing corruption trials, had prioritised his own political survival over the fate of the hostages.
Respect the families’ request: Don’t come,” Eyal Eshel, whose daughter, Roni, was killed at an army base stormed by Hamas militants in October, told Israeli Channel 12.
The original article contains 934 words, the summary contains 231 words. Saved 75%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Thousands of Israelis joined protests over the weekend calling for a deal to bring home hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas, early elections and the immediate resignation of Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister.
The large protests came amid renewed fighting in Gaza, where Israeli troops have advanced for the first time towards the centre of Rafah, the territory’s southernmost city, and launched operations in several northern areas where fierce clashes have previously taken place.
In the northern city of Haifa, protesters marched behind a banner reading “May every Israeli parent remember they put their child’s life in the hands of Netanyahu, who fails them”, while hundreds gathered outside the prime minister’s private home in Caesarea, 25 miles (40km) away.
Many Israelis say no one has taken responsibility for the failures that allowed militants to break through Gaza’s $1.1bn perimeter fence and hunt down civilians in their homes or at a music festival for hours before the army arrived in sufficient strength to protect survivors.
In a recent poll in Ma’ariv newspaper, more than half of respondents said Netanyahu, who could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted in ongoing corruption trials, had prioritised his own political survival over the fate of the hostages.
Respect the families’ request: Don’t come,” Eyal Eshel, whose daughter, Roni, was killed at an army base stormed by Hamas militants in October, told Israeli Channel 12.
The original article contains 934 words, the summary contains 231 words. Saved 75%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!