The unrest unfolded as thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Monday evening, calling for the implementation of a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement.
According to reports, Israeli police resorted to water cannons to disperse the crowds, leading to the arrest of at least five protesters. Prior to the clashes, families of Israeli captives had gathered in front of the military headquarters in Tel Aviv, urging authorities to expedite negotiations for the release of their loved ones held by Palestinian factions.
The families emphasized the urgency of reaching a prisoner exchange agreement, highlighting the precarious situation of the captives. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's staunch opposition to a ceasefire in Gaza has complicated the prospects of such a deal.
Despite mounting pressure from the families and the public, Netanyahu's administration remains firm in its stance, signaling a continued deadlock in efforts to secure the release of Israeli prisoners.
The latest escalation comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, with the Gaza conflict showing no signs of abating. As both sides dig in their heels, the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the crisis remain uncertain.
