protests held across Israel

Tel Aviv (dpa) — Protests were held across Israel on Thursday against the government’s planned expansion of the fighting in the Gaza Strip, as the country’s Security Cabinet meets to decide on next steps in the 22-month conflict.

In Jerusalem, demonstrators gathered in front of the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They demanded an agreement to release the hostages still being held.

According to a report by the ynet news outlet, the mother of one hostage said: “The government must put a comprehensive agreement on the table that will bring all 50 hostages home in order to end the war in exchange for the last hostage.”

Another demonstrator said: “Widening the fighting is a deadly danger – look us in the eye if you sacrifice the hostages.”

Numerous people also gathered in the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv.

Demonstrators lit a large bonfire in front of the headquarters of Netanyahu’s Likud party, calling for the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza.

Around 50 hostages are still being held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the territory, of whom some 20 are believed to still be alive.