Israeli protesters block highways, call for ceasefire 9 months into Gaza war

Marking nine months since the war in Gaza started, Israeli protesters blocked highways across the country on Sunday, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down and pushing for a ceasefire to bring back scores of hostages held by Hamas.

The demonstrations come as long-running efforts to broker a truce gained momentum last week as Hamas dropped a key demand for an Israeli commitment to end the war. The militant group is still seeking a permanent ceasefire, while Netanyahu has vowed to keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed.

The war was triggered by Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7, in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 others taken hostage. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.

Sunday’s “Day of Disruption” started at 6.29am, the same time Hamas militants launched the first rockets towards Israel in the initial attack. Protesters blocked main roads and demonstrated outside the homes of government ministers.

Near the border with Gaza, Israeli protesters released 1,500 black and yellow balloons to symbolise those fellow citizens who were killed and abducted.

Hannah Golan said she came to protest against the “devastating abandonment of our communities by our government”. She added: “It’s nine months today, to this black day, and still nobody in our government takes responsibility.”