At least 90% of Gaza homes have been damaged or destroyed, and 90% of Palestinians have been evacuated. Credit: Tayifmukta/Shutterstock
22 months ago, on October 7, Hamas and other Palestinian extremist groups launched a surprising attack on Israel, killing 1,195 Israelis and foreigners, including 815 civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Those 50 are still held by Hamas.
In retaliation, Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israeli government today claims his plan as the only viable option, but almost killed it. 62,000 Over 144,000 Palestinians and injured; According to To rescue NGOs. Over 90% of Gaza homes have been damaged or destroyed, leaving around 2 million Palestinians or 90% of the population, leaving many of them on multiple occasions. United Nations Human Rights Agency verification 70% of those killed by Israel are women and children. united nations.
United Nations Relief Work Organization (UNRWA) It has been reported In May 2025, 470,000 Palestinians face catastrophic hunger, the most serious classification of the integrated food security stage (IPC) scale. The same report revealed that since March, 2 million Palestinians have not been able to access critical food aid due to the lockdown of Israeli humanitarian aid.
“What we are witnessing in Gaza today is not a tragic by-product of war. It is a strategy of deprivation and control, with children and mothers paying the ultimate price.” I wrote it TRT.
Hundreds of thousands hope to end the war
Today, Sunday, August 17th, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took them to the streets of the country, demanding that the government secure the release of the 50 hostages Hamas still holds, in grassroots strikes and widespread protests across the country.
The protesters have firmly opposed Netanyahu’s recent decision to expand the war and take over Gaza city, saying it could potentially take the lives of soldiers and hostages.
“We are closing our country to save soldiers and hostages,” said the hostage parents in Tel Aviv. According to To CNN. The council on October 7, representing the families of the soldiers who fell at the start of the war, also demonstrated.
74% backs the deal with Hamas
“Today, we will stop everything to save the lives of 50 hostages and soldiers. Today, we will stop everything to remember the highest value of the sacredness of life,” said Anat Engrest, whose son Matan is being held hostage in Gaza, CNN reported elsewhere. article.
Polls have repeatedly shown that the majority of Israeli people support ceasefire contracts to release all hostages in exchange for the end of the war.
74% of Israelis, including 60% of those who voted for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, backing up an agreement with Hamas to release all hostages at once in exchange for the end of the Gaza War. According to In the time of Israel.
Dozens of arrests at the biggest protest since 2023
AP It has been reported The Israeli police have arrested dozens as protesters aimed to close the country in one of the biggest and fierce protests of the 22-month war.
“We will not win a war over hostage bodies,” the protesters chanted, the AP added. Even the former Israeli military and some chiefs of intelligence reporting are seeking contracts to end the battle.
“The only way to get back (hostages) is through trading at once, without a game at once,” former hostage hostage Abel Iodo said at a demonstration in Tel Aviv. Her boyfriend, Ariel Kunio, is still held in Hamas.
“The horror of October 7th is repeated
Netanyahu responded to the protesters’ demands. “Today, those seeking to end the war without defeating Hamas will strengthen Hamas’ position and delay the release of hostages, as well as ensure that the horrors of October 7th will be repeated.”
One protester carried a photograph of a weakened Palestinian child from Gaza. Such images were previously rare, but now appear more frequently after more than 250 malnutrition-related deaths, as anger grows more than Palestinian civilian situations.
