Title: Protesters Demand PM Netanyahu Resign over Handling of Hamas Attack
Subtitle: Widespread anger and calls for accountability grow in Israel following deadly assault
JERUSALEM, Nov 4 (Reuters) – Police were forced to hold back protesters outside the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, as public anger boiled over regarding the failures that led to last month’s deadly attack by Hamas gunmen on communities around the Gaza Strip.
Hundreds of demonstrators waving blue and white Israeli flags gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, chanting “Jail now!” and pushing through police barriers. The protest coincided with a poll showing that more than three-quarters of Israelis believe Netanyahu should step down, underscoring the increasing public fury towards political and security leaders.
Netanyahu has yet to accept personal responsibility for the failures that allowed the surprise assault on Oct. 7, in which hundreds of Hamas gunmen stormed into southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,400 people and the taking of at least 240 hostages.
Since the initial shock of the attack, public anger has only intensified. Families of the hostages held in Gaza have vehemently criticized the government’s response, demanding the immediate return of their loved ones.
In Tel Aviv, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, waving flags and carrying photographs of the captives in Gaza. Posters bearing slogans such as “Release the hostages now at all costs” were held high, while the crowd chanted, “bring them home now.”
Ofri Bibas-Levy, whose brother and two young nephews were taken hostage by Hamas, expressed her support for her family members during the protest. Speaking to Reuters, she voiced her concerns about their well-being, confessing, “We don’t know where they are, we don’t know what condition they are kept in. I don’t know if Kfir is getting food, I don’t know if Ariel is getting enough food. He is a very small baby.”
Following the attack, Israel launched a fierce air and ground offensive in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 9,000 people according to health authorities in the Hamas-ruled area. Large parts of Gaza have been reduced to rubble in the process.
Prior to the conflict, Netanyahu was already a divisive figure, facing corruption charges, which he denies. He also pushed through a plan to limit the powers of the judiciary, which led to widespread protests.
A recent poll by Israel’s Channel 13 Television revealed that 76% of Israelis believe Netanyahu, now serving his sixth term, should step down, with 64% calling for immediate elections after the conflict ends.
When asked who is most responsible for the attack, 44% of respondents blamed Netanyahu, while 33% pointed to the military chief of staff and senior IDF officials. The Defense Minister received 5% of the blame, according to the poll.
As widespread anger continues to mount, the pressure on Netanyahu’s leadership and the government’s response to the attack shows no signs of abating. Calls for accountability and swift action persist as the nation navigates through this challenging time.
Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by Ros Russell and Emelia Sithole-Matarise
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