Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in central Jerusalem on Sunday in the largest anti-government protest since the country went to war in October. The protesters called on the government to reach a cease-fire deal to free dozens of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants and to hold early elections.
Israeli society, initially united after Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages on Oct. 7, has become divided over the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring all hostages home, but progress has been slow. While some hostages were released during a cease-fire in November, efforts to free the rest have failed.
