Tel Aviv Rally Urges End to War Amid Gaza Hunger and Failed Ceasefire Talks

Thousands gathered at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square on Thursday night to call for an end to the war in Gaza, as frustration grows over the conflict’s toll on soldiers, hostages, and civilians. The protest, organized by bereaved families, relatives of hostages, and parents of combat soldiers, took place just hours after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of derailing ceasefire negotiations in Doha, forcing Israeli and U.S. delegations to withdraw from the talks.

“There was more of a feeling that people want to stop the war not only to bring back the hostages, but also from the understanding that the war has gone too far — that the cost to soldiers is too high, and that the suffering in Gaza has become unbearable,” said protester Roy Rieck.

The rally opened with a moment of silence for fallen soldiers, followed by prayers for the safe return of the 50 remaining hostages, of whom 20 are believed to be alive. Effie Shoham, whose son Yuval was killed in Gaza, made an emotional plea: “These days we face tough choices between choosing life and good, or war, hunger, death, and evil. We must choose life. I call on the Israeli government, on behalf of the people of Israel gathered here today, to stop the war.”

Retired Maj.-Gen. Noam Tibon, who personally rescued family members from Hamas on October 7, 2023, condemned the government for prolonging the conflict. “It’s become a political war, managed by a failed government that sent our children to die while passing a shameful draft-dodging law,” he said, referring to expanded exemptions for haredi Orthodox yeshiva students.

Viki Cohen, whose son Nimrod is being held hostage in Gaza, accused the government of pushing for partial hostage deals that might leave her son behind. Raphi Ben-Shitrit, who lost his son Elroi on October 7, warned that prolonging the war threatens “the future of the Zionist enterprise,” adding that ending the war reflects “the sanctity of life, the heroism of the Jewish spirit, and the strength of the Israeli spirit.”

While left-wing protesters carried signs accusing Israel of committing genocide, other groups expressed solidarity with “dignified Religious Zionism,” illustrating the diverse voices united by a common demand to bring the war to an end. Yehuda Mirsky, a religious activist from Jerusalem, remarked on the growing feeling that “every day soldiers are dying for no good apparent reason,” noting that Netanyahu’s political maneuvering over draft exemptions has further fueled anger.

Despite the emotional atmosphere, attendees acknowledged the protest lacked the momentum of past mass movements, such as the judicial overhaul demonstrations of 2023 or the massive antiwar rallies of the 1980s. “We’re not yet seeing a critical mass,” said Rieck. “And look around you here in Tel Aviv everywhere else, people are carrying on as usual.”

With ceasefire talks faltering and humanitarian conditions worsening in Gaza, the voices calling for change are growing louder, but whether they will translate into widespread public pressure remains uncertain.

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