Mass demonstrations in Israel advocating for an end to the conflict in Gaza and the liberation of captives take place
In a dramatic turn of events, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Saturday evening, calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a hostage release deal.
The escalation of tensions in Gaza reached a new peak when a high-rise building, identified as the Al-Sussi Tower, was destroyed by an Israeli strike on Saturday morning. The building housed many displaced Gazans and was reportedly used by the Hamas terrorist organisation, according to the Israeli military.
Defence Minister Israel Katz, who is actively involved in the strikes in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and the so-called Gaza crisis, posted a clip of the Al-Sussi Tower collapsing on social media. This action has further fuelled the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military has called up tens of thousands of reservists to support the operation in Gaza City. The Israeli army has also urged Gaza City residents to leave for a "humanitarian zone" in the south, which boasts essential infrastructure such as field hospitals, water pipelines, and desalination facilities.
However, the war in Gaza has increasingly left Israel diplomatically isolated. Some of its closest allies have condemned the campaign, with the war increasingly leaving a mark on Israel's international standing.
Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades but today controls only parts of the enclave, has long said it would release all hostages if Israel agreed to end the war and withdraw all its forces from Gaza. Hamas has offered to release some hostages for a temporary ceasefire, similar to terms discussed in July, but these negotiations have so far failed. The last negotiations between Israel and Hamas broke down in July, and both parties have accused each other of negotiating in bad faith.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the capture of Gaza City against the advice of Israel's military leadership. Israeli military officials claim they have killed many of Hamas' key leaders and thousands of its fighters.
Despite the ongoing conflict, there are growing calls within Israel for a diplomatic deal to secure the release of the remaining 48 captives. Most of the hostages who have been freed were released through diplomatic negotiations mediated by the US and Arab states. Israeli officials believe 20 of the hostages are still alive.
Dozens of Palestinians interviewed in Gaza City have said there is "no safe place" in the territory. The destroyed building, the Al-Sussi Tower, was a residential building that housed many displaced Gazans. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the humanitarian crisis deepening and the calls for peace growing louder.
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