[A photo of protesters. Credit to Pixabay]

An estimated 750,000 protesters gathered across cities in Israel to call for the release of hostages held in Gaza.

On Saturday, September 7th, over 500,000 demonstrators were seen gathered in Tel Aviv in a protest organized by the Hostage Families Forum, while 250,000 others protested in various Israeli cities including Jerusalem, Haifa, Netanya, and Rishon Lezion.

This rally marked the largest protest in Israel’s history.

Protesters rallied near government buildings, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate with Hamas for the hostages’ release.

Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza.

Participants were seen wearing masks of Netanyahu’s face and chanting, “Alive, alive, alive, we want them alive.”

The mass protests have been growing after six captives were shot and killed by Hamas troops just before Israeli forces could rescue them.

The victims were identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Sgt Ori Danino.

The recovery of these bodies made many believe that Netanyahu’s government was incapable of handling the ongoing hostage crisis.

“This deal-sabotaging government is forsaking the captives and abandoning them to die. As long as Netanyahu is in power, this war will go on indefinitely and there will be no hostage deal. To save the hostages' lives, Netanyahu must be replaced,”said Yotam Cohen, an Israeli soldier formerly held captive in Gaza.

Citizens became even more outraged when the army released footage showing the hostages’ bodies found in a poorly lit, unventilated tunnel with no access to basic facilities.

Hamas had originally taken 251 hostages, and so far 8 have been rescued alive by Isaraeli troops.

At least 33 are confirmed dead, while Hamas released 105 hostages during a brief truce in November.

A total of 37 bodies have been recovered so far.

During a press conference earlier this month, Netanyahu asked for “forgiveness” from the families of the hostages, but stated that Hamas would have to make the concessions, along with a vow to avenge the hostages.

Hamas also issued statements saying that hostages in Gaza would “return inside coffins” if Israel attempted to take them by force, which Netanyahu had endorsed.

Anti-government protests have become a regular occurrence in Israel since early 2023, with weekly rallies held on Kaplan Street and approximately 113 protests taking place each month across the country.

Protesters have gathered outside the homes of Netanyahu’s political allies.

After Gideon Sa’ar, a politician, had been rumored to be joining Netanyahu’s government, hundreds of protesters gathered outside his residence, urging him to reconsider.

One protester, Idit Teperson, said, ”We have a criminal government, a criminal government who lets the hostages be murdered only for the sake of the coalition. And we have a prime minister who doesn't think of the good of a country, but only of his own good.”