'Weak leaders wage pointless wars': Israelis denounce government, demand ceasefire

About 2,000 Israelis protested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its handling of the conflict in Gaza on Saturday (January 11), demanding an end to the war in Gaza, and hoping for a “better future” for the country.

Protesters carried flares, and started a fire at Begin gate in Tel Aviv, as the protest carried into the evening.

One protester had her hopes pinned on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, to push the Israeli government into a deal to get the hostages back.

Mediators are making renewed efforts to reach a deal to halt the fighting in the enclave and free the remaining Israeli hostages held there before Trump takes office on January. 20. A deal would also involve the release of some Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed at least 46,537 Palestinians and wounded 109,571 since October 7, 2023, the Palestinian enclave's health ministry said on Saturday.

The ministry said 32 Palestinians were killed over the past 48 hours.

(Producer: Janis Laizans, Michaela Cabrera)