Some 120,000 people demonstrated in Tel Aviv on June 1 to demand the return of the hostages kidnapped by the Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Jerusalem, Israel - June 1, 2024

[Note: video contains Hebrew language]

Some 120,000 people, according to the organising organisations, demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand the return of the hostages kidnapped by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip in a new protest that has been replicated in other cities in the country. This Saturday's march has had a special aspect, as they are demanding that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept the ceasefire plan and the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners presented on Friday by US President Joe Biden. They are also calling for Netanyahu's resignation and early elections. According to The Times of Israel, the large turnout made it the largest demonstration since the attack by Palestinian militias on 7 October. Relatives of the abductees, such as Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan Zangauker, who warned that Netanyahu could "torpedo" the agreement, once again took part in the demonstration. Biden "spoke out because he knows that Netanyahu could torpedo this deal as well".

"Biden wanted people to know what was really on the table," he said. The rally took place again around Begin and Kaplan streets in Tel Aviv, in the renamed Democracy Square, the scene of anti-government protests since 7 October and previously of demonstrations against the judicial reform promoted by the Nentanyahu government since January 2023, except for a few weeks of hiatus after the Hamas attacks. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, thousands of demonstrators took part in the protest and a banner with the slogan "Thank you, Biden" was unfurled in reference to Friday's appearance. The protesters marched through the centre of Jerusalem to the prime minister's official residence. The demonstrators chanted "Abandoned! They must return!", accompanied by numerous yellow flags, the symbol of the hostages held in Gaza.
With images in association with Othman.

SHOTLIST
1. Various from the demonstration