Israelis clash with police during a protest demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 4, 2025. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israelis took to the streets on Saturday in Tel Aviv, with protesters calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and urging the Israeli government to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The protests came amid indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha, Qatar, which resumed last week. The negotiations aim to reach a ceasefire in the 15-month war between the two sides and secure the release of approximately 100 hostages still held by Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.
Israelis take part in a protest demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 4, 2025. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
Israelis take part in a protest demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 4, 2025. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
Police officers are seen as Israelis gather for a protest demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 4, 2025. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
An Israeli woman shows her palms written with the words “stop the war” during a protest demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 4, 2025. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
Israelis take part in a protest demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 4, 2025. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)■
