By: Ruyi Lin

With a series of nationwide anti-government protests on Sunday, Israelis marked nine months since the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 and the start of the Gaza war. The protests caused major disruptions in cities like Tel Aviv (Israel), with demonstrators calling for a cease-fire with Hamas to secure the return of hostages and for new elections in Israel.

Protesters blocked traffic at key intersections, with the majority dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the conflict. This comes as some progress has been made towards a cease-fire, despite ongoing fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. Many Israelis worry that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might focus on keeping his government in power instead of making peace, which isn’t in the citizens’ best interests.

Members of the far-right coalition (supporters of the expansion of Israel) have threatened to topple the government if Netanyahu agrees to a cease-fire before completely defeating Hamas, a goal many experts say is impossible. Furthermore, adding more tension, the Israeli military continues its operations in Gaza, including strikes on a U.N. school and a Hamas weapons facility, keeping the conflict intense.

Along with the Gaza conflict, tensions are also high on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where the Hezbollah organization (a Lebanese terrorist organization) has been attacking Israeli territory. This volatile situation has increased the amount casualties, including injuries to both Israeli soldiers and civilians.

As the conflict and internal political battles continue, Israel faces a critical point. With the public calling for peace and new leadership the results of these protests and ongoing negotiations could impact the future of the region, as leaders are less representative of the population.

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