SAEDNEWS: Israeli police violently dispersed demonstrators in Tel Aviv on Sunday as families of captives held in Gaza protested against regime’s refusal to reach a deal for their release, amid reports of an impending military escalation in the besieged territory.
Israeli forces clashed with protesters who attempted to block a major road in central Tel Aviv during a demonstration calling for a captive deal, local media reported.
Channel 12 said officers cleared the demonstrators from the area and arrested several on public disorder charges.
Among the protesters were relatives of Israeli captives.
The mother of captive Nimrod Cohen spoke directly to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating, “I strongly oppose any rescue attempt that may endanger my son’s life. Only a comprehensive deal can bring him home alive.”
Families of the captives warned in a joint statement that further military aggression would endanger their loved ones.
“Netanyahu is preparing the biggest deception. Repeated talk of rescuing the captives while expanding the war is nothing but public manipulation,” the statement read.
“Expanding the war puts the captives -- already at immediate risk of death -- in even greater danger. They will not survive another round of prolonged hell.”
Multiple Israeli outlets reported that senior officials are considering a broader offensive in Gaza, despite the stalled negotiations with Hamas.
On Sunday, Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir acknowledged that such a move could jeopardize the captives’ lives.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, released a video of Israeli captive Evyatar David, showing signs of severe malnutrition and emaciation resulting from Israel’s blockade on Gaza.
The video depicted David in a cramped room, his bones visibly protruding.
It also showed him in a vehicle with another captive during a previous prisoner swap in January.
Separately, Saraya al-Quds, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, released a final video of captive Rom Braslavski before losing contact with his holding unit.
Israeli sources estimate that around 50 captives remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive.
In contrast, Israeli regime currently holds over 10,800 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom are subjected to torture, starvation, and medical neglect, according to rights groups.
Despite growing global calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli military continues its brutal assault on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023.
More than 60,800 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed in the attacks.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Separately, Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
The Israeli security cabinet is expected to convene this week to decide whether to widen the war — a move that even top military officials warn could further endanger the remaining captives.
