A drone view reveals folks protesting after households of hostages known as for a nationwide strike to demand the return of all hostages and an finish to the struggle in Gaza, within the space of the so-called Hostages Sq., in Tel Aviv, Israel on Aug. 17, 2025.
Aviv Atlas | Reuters
Israeli police blasted crowds with water cannons and made dozens of arrests on Sunday as hundreds of protesters demanding a deal to free hostages in Gaza aimed to close down the nation with a one-day strike that blocked roads and closed companies.
Teams representing households of hostages organized the demonstrations as frustration grows in Israel over plans for a brand new navy offensive in a few of Gaza’s most populated areas, which many worry might additional endanger the remaining hostages. Fifty hostages stay, and 20 of them are believed to nonetheless be alive.
“We do not win a struggle over the our bodies of hostages,” protesters chanted in one of many largest and fiercest protests in 22 months of struggle. Even some former Israeli military and intelligence chiefs now name for a deal to finish the combating.
Protesters gathered at dozens of locations together with outdoors politicians’ properties, navy headquarters and on main highways. They blocked lanes and lit bonfires. Some eating places and theaters closed in solidarity. Police mentioned they arrested 38 folks.
“The one strategy to convey (hostages) again is thru a deal, all of sudden, with out video games,” former hostage Arbel Yehoud mentioned at an illustration in Tel Aviv. Her boyfriend Ariel Cunio remains to be being held by Hamas.
One protester carried a photograph of an emaciated Palestinian youngster from Gaza. Such photos have been as soon as uncommon at Israeli demonstrations however now seem extra typically as outrage grows over situations there for civilians after greater than 250 malnutrition-related deaths.
Netanyahu opposes leaving Hamas in energy
An finish to the battle doesn’t appear close to. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is balancing competing pressures, together with the potential for mutiny inside his coalition.
“Those that at the moment name for an finish to the struggle with out defeating Hamas should not solely hardening Hamas’ place and delaying the discharge of our hostages, they’re additionally making certain that the horrors of Oct. 7 shall be repeated,” Netanyahu mentioned, referencing the Hamas-led assault in 2023 that killed some 1,200 folks and sparked the struggle.
The final time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that launched hostages earlier this yr, far-right members of his cupboard threatened to topple Netanyahu’s authorities.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday known as the demonstrations “a foul and dangerous marketing campaign that performs into Hamas’ arms, buries the hostages within the tunnels and makes an attempt to get Israel to give up to its enemies and jeopardize its safety and future.”
The brand new offensive would require the call-up of hundreds of reservists, one other concern for a lot of Israelis.
One other 17 aid-seekers killed in Gaza
Hospitals and witnesses in Gaza mentioned Israeli forces killed at the least 17 aid-seekers on Sunday, together with 9 awaiting U.N. help vans near the Morag hall.
Hamza Asfour mentioned he was simply north of the hall awaiting a convoy when Israeli snipers fired, first to disperse the crowds, then from tanks a whole bunch of meters (yards) away. He noticed two folks with gunshot wounds.
“It is both to take this danger or wait and see my household die of hunger,” he mentioned.
The Gaza Humanitarian Basis, which runs the Israeli-backed and U.S.-supported distribution factors which have turn into the principle supply of help since they opened in Could, mentioned there was no gunfire “at or close to” its websites, that are situated in military-controlled areas.
Israel’s navy didn’t instantly reply to questions.
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB: Mourners carry the physique of Palestinian Hamdan Abu Eulya, who was shot useless by Israeli forces, throughout his funeral in Al Mughayyir close to Ramallah, within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution on Aug. 17, 2025.
Mohamad Torokman | Reuters
Israel’s air and floor struggle has displaced most of Gaza’s inhabitants and killed greater than 61,900 folks, in accordance with Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which doesn’t specify what number of have been fighters or civilians however says round half have been ladies and kids.
Two youngsters and 5 adults died of malnutrition-related causes Sunday, in accordance with the ministry, which is a part of the Hamas-run authorities and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and impartial consultants contemplate it probably the most dependable supply on casualties. Israel disputes its figures however has not supplied its personal.
The United Nations has warned that ranges of hunger and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest because the struggle started. Most help has been blocked from getting into Gaza since Israel imposed a complete blockade in March after ending a ceasefire. Deliveries have since partially resumed, although help organizations say the stream is way beneath what is required.
Fears of the approaching navy offensive
It’s not clear when Israel’s navy will start the brand new offensive within the crowded Gaza Metropolis, Muwasi and what Netanyahu has known as the “central camps” of Gaza.
The navy physique that coordinates its humanitarian help to Gaza, COGAT, this weekend famous plans to forcibly evacuate folks from fight zones to southern Gaza “for his or her safety.” Designated “protected zones,” nevertheless, even have been bombed in the course of the struggle.
Conflict-weary Palestinians on Sunday insisted that they will not depart, arguing that there’s “no protected place” in Gaza.
“There are not any humanitarian zones in any respect,” mentioned Raghda Abu Dhaher, who mentioned she has been displaced 10 instances in the course of the struggle and now shelters in a college in western Gaza Metropolis.
Mohamed Ahmed additionally insisted that he will not transfer south. “Right here is bombing and there’s bombing,” he mentioned.
Airstrike on energy plant in Yemen
Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s capital Sunday, escalating strikes on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who because the struggle in Gaza started have fired missiles at Israel and focused ships within the Purple Sea.
The Houthi-run Al-Masirah Tv mentioned the strikes focused an influence plant within the southern district of Sanhan, sparking a hearth and knocking it out of service. Israel’s navy mentioned the strikes have been launched in response to missiles and drones geared toward Israel.
Whereas some projectiles have breached its missile defenses — notably throughout its 12-day struggle with Iran in June — Israel has intercepted the overwhelming majority of missiles launched from Yemen. Its navy later Sunday mentioned it had intercepted one other.
