JERUSALEM (Realist English). Israeli protesters on Wednesday set fire to several cars, tires, and recycling bins near the residence of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as calls intensified for a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.
Crowds rallied in the occupied city, blocking nearby streets and demanding negotiations for the release of captives held in Gaza since the start of Israel’s military campaign on October 7, 2023. Demonstrators accused Netanyahu of endangering their lives by pressing ahead with plans for a ground assault on Gaza City.
Protests also spread to the Knesset area and the “National Library” building in al-Quds, where Hebrew-language media reported sit-ins against the government’s refusal to conclude a prisoner swap. According to Israel’s Channel 12, police arrested 13 demonstrators occupying the library roof.
The unrest follows a brief ceasefire in January that allowed the release of several captives and Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. Israel refused to extend the two-month deal and instead escalated strikes on Gaza. Dozens of captives have since been killed in bombardments, while starvation imposed by the blockade is worsening their plight.
Despite calls from the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire and rulings by the International Court of Justice urging measures to prevent genocide, Israeli military operations continue. According to Palestinian health authorities, Israel’s campaign has killed 63,633 people, mostly women and children, and wounded more than 160,000. At least 10,000 remain missing under the rubble.
