The streets of Tel Aviv are boiling over demands for a prisoner exchange.. and Netanyahu clings to the military option in Gaza.

The streets of Greater Tel Aviv witnessed a large public movement today, as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets demanding an immediate deal to secure the release of those held in the Gaza Strip. These protests come at a sensitive time, as the security cabinet convened without yielding tangible results, amid hardline statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Since dawn on Tuesday, main roads in Tel Aviv and other cities have been closed, with protesters holding pictures of the captives. The gatherings extended to the vicinity of the American mission and the homes of several ministers, reflecting the growing anger in Israeli society.

As evening fell, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv, where the sounds of horns, sirens, and drumbeats rose, accompanied by chants accusing the government of failing to address the issue of the captives. One protester, Yoav Fider, stated that they are here to demand a deal for the return of the captives and to end the war.

In contrast, following the security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu made statements reaffirming the military stance, saying: 'It began in Gaza and it will end in Gaza. We will not leave these monsters there.' These remarks come after the council approved a plan to take control of the city of Gaza, sparking a new wave of protests.

On the diplomatic front, the situation remains uncertain. Hamas has agreed to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire during which the captives will be exchanged in two batches for Palestinian detainees, but Tel Aviv has not yet provided an official response.

The families of the captives have sharply criticized the government, accusing it of neglecting their children's plight. Ruby Hain, the father of one of the captives, stated that Netanyahu prioritizes the destruction of Hamas at the expense of releasing the captives, considering it unacceptable to sacrifice fifty hostages for political purposes.

It is noteworthy that among the 251 individuals captured on October 7, 2023, 49 hostages remain in Gaza, and the Israeli occupation army has announced the death of 27 of them, increasing pressure on the Israeli government to find a swift solution.