— Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday night outside the military headquarters, calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to press for an immediate end to the Gaza war and secure the release of hostages taken on Oct. 7, 2023; organisers said the demonstration drew tens of thousands.
Key Takeaways
- Large protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem urged President Trump to intervene and push for a ceasefire.
- Organisers said tens of thousands attended; families demand safe returns for hostages held in Gaza.
- There are 48 hostages believed held in Gaza; Israeli officials estimate about 20 are still alive.
- Palestinian casualties and widespread displacement have intensified humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
- Hamas has said it would free all hostages if Israel ends the war and withdraws; Israel seeks an all-or-nothing swap.
- President Trump has said Washington is engaged in “very deep” negotiations with Hamas.
Verified Facts
On the night of Sept. 6, 2025, protesters gathered in a public square outside Israel’s military headquarters, waving Israeli flags and holding placards bearing images of the hostages. Family members and supporters have staged weekly demonstrations seeking a ceasefire tied to hostage releases.
Palestinian militants abducted 251 people during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack; about 48 remain in Gaza, and Israeli officials believe roughly 20 are alive. Most earlier releases occurred after indirect negotiations involving Israel and Hamas.
Israeli forces have continued strikes around Gaza City and warned civilians there to relocate south. A global hunger monitor reported hundreds of thousands in Gaza face acute food shortages; Israeli authorities acknowledge hunger but dispute that the enclave is in famine.
A video released by Hamas showed Israeli hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24, saying he was being held in Gaza City and feared for his life amid military operations. Rights groups condemned the release of hostage footage, while Israeli officials described the clips as psychological warfare.
Protesters expressed frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has ordered military operations aimed at capturing Gaza City, arguing such an offensive is necessary to weaken Hamas and secure all hostages at once.
Context & Impact
President Trump pledged during his campaign for a swift end to the conflict; nearly eight months into his second term, a negotiated, comprehensive settlement has not been achieved. On Friday he described U.S. diplomacy as involving “very deep” talks with Hamas.
The standoff over terms remains: Hamas has offered phased releases for temporary truces in past talks, while Israeli leadership seeks an all-or-nothing arrangement that would secure the release of all hostages and see Hamas surrender.
Public opinion in Israel shows growing weariness with the campaign. Many protesters argue the assault on major urban areas could imperil hostages and increase civilian suffering, raising pressure on political leaders to find a negotiated alternative.
- Humanitarian: Continued urban fighting risks more civilian casualties and broader displacement across Gaza.
- Political: Large domestic protests amplify calls for a negotiated ceasefire and could influence coalition debates in Jerusalem.
- Diplomatic: U.S. mediation remains central; demonstrators are explicitly appealing to President Trump to use U.S. leverage.
“We truly hope that the United States will push both sides to finally reach a comprehensive deal that will bring them home.”
Orna Neutra, mother of soldier held in Gaza
Unconfirmed
- Protester claims that President Trump is the only person who can compel Prime Minister Netanyahu to change course reflect demonstrators’ views but are not independently verifiable as a matter of diplomatic leverage.
- Hamas statements that it would release all hostages in return for an Israeli withdrawal are conditional and have not been independently verified or translated into a signed agreement.
- Estimates of famine-level hunger in Gaza differ among monitors and Israeli officials; the precise scale and classification of food shortages remain disputed.
Bottom Line
Saturday’s mass rallies underscore mounting public frustration in Israel over the Gaza campaign and its human toll, with families pressing for an urgent diplomatic breakthrough tied to hostage releases. With nationwide protests and deep humanitarian concerns, pressure on national and international leaders to secure a negotiated pause is likely to grow in the coming weeks.