海角大神

Tens of thousands of Israelis thronged central Jerusalem on March 31 in the largest anti-government protest since the country聽went to war聽in October. Protesters urged 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 was broadly united immediately after Oct. 7, when Hamas killed some 1,200 people during a cross-border attack and聽took 250 others hostage. Nearly six months of conflict have renewed divisions over the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though the country remains largely in favor of the war.

Mr. Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home, yet those goals have been elusive. While Hamas has suffered heavy losses, it remains intact.

Roughly half the hostages in Gaza were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. But attempts by international mediators to bring home the remaining hostages have failed. Talks resumed on March 31 with no signs that a breakthrough was imminent.

Hostages鈥� families believe time is running out, and they are getting more vocal about their displeasure with Mr. Netanyahu.

鈥淲e believe that no hostages will come back with this government because they鈥檙e busy putting sticks in the wheels of negotiations for the hostages,鈥� said Boaz Atzili, whose cousin, Aviv Atzili and his wife, Liat, were kidnapped on Oct. 7. Ms. Atzili was released but Aviv was killed, and his body is in Gaza. 鈥淣etanyahu is only working in his private interests.鈥�

Protestors have many grievances

Protesters blame Mr. Netanyahu for the failures of Oct. 7 and say the deep political divisions over his attempted judicial overhaul last year weakened Israel ahead of the attack. Some accuse him of damaging relations with the United States, Israel鈥檚 most important ally.

Mr. Netanyahu is also facing a litany of corruption charges which are slowly making their way through the courts, and critics say his decisions appear to be focused on political survival over the national interest. Opinion polls show Mr. Netanyahu and his coalition trailing far behind their rivals if elections were held today.

Unless his governing coalition falls apart sooner, Mr. Netanyahu won鈥檛 face elections until spring of 2026.

Many families of hostages had refrained from publicly denouncing Mr. Netanyahu to avoid antagonizing the leadership and making the hostages鈥� plight a political issue. But as their anger grows, some now want to change course 鈥� and they played a major role in the anti-government protest on March 31.

The crowd on March 31 stretched for blocks around the Knesset, or parliament building, and organizers vowed to continue the demonstration for several days. They urged the government to hold new elections nearly two years ahead of schedule. Thousands also demonstrated in Tel Aviv, where there was a large protest the night before.

Mr. Netanyahu, in a nationally televised speech before聽undergoing hernia surgery聽later March 31, said he understood families鈥� pain. But he said calling new elections 鈥撀爄n what he described as a moment before victory 鈥撀爓ould paralyze Israel for six to eight months and stall the hostage talks. For now, Mr. Netanyahu鈥檚 governing coalition appears to remain firmly intact.

Some hostage families agree that now is not the time for elections.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think that changing the prime minister now is what will advance and help my son to come home,鈥� Sheli Shem Tov, whose son Omer was kidnapped from a music festival, told Israel鈥檚 Channel 12. 鈥淭o go to elections now will just push to the side the most burning issue, which is to return the hostages home.鈥�

In his address, Mr. Netanyahu also repeated his vow for a聽military ground offensive in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than half of territory鈥檚 population of 2.3 million now shelters after fleeing fighting elsewhere. 鈥淭here is no victory without going into Rafah,鈥� he said, adding that U.S. pressure would not deter him. Israel鈥檚 military says Hamas battalions remain there.

In another reminder of Israel鈥檚 divisions, a group of reservists and retired officers demonstrated in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood.

Ultra-Orthodox men for generations have received exemptions from military service, which is compulsory for most Jewish men and women. Resentment over that has deepened during the war. Mr. Netanyahu鈥檚 government has been聽ordered to present a new plan聽for a more equitable draft law by April 1.

Mr. Netanyahu, who relies heavily on the support of ultra-Orthodox parties, last week asked for an extension.

The Bank of Israel said in its annual report on March 31 that there could be economic damage if large numbers of ultra-Orthodox men continue not to serve in Israel鈥檚 military.

Israeli airstrike hits tent camp at hospital

Also March 31, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp in the courtyard of a crowded hospital in central Gaza, killing two Palestinians and wounding another 15, including journalists working nearby.

An Associated Press reporter filmed the strike and aftermath at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where thousands of people have sheltered. The Israeli military said it struck a command center of the Islamic Jihad militant group.

Tens of thousands of people have sought shelter in Gaza鈥檚 hospitals, viewing them as relatively safe from airstrikes. Israel accuses Hamas and other militants of operating in and around medical facilities, which Gaza鈥檚 health officials deny.

Israeli troops聽have been raiding Shifa Hospital, Gaza鈥檚 largest, for nearly two weeks and say they have killed scores of fighters, including senior Hamas operatives. Gaza鈥檚 Health Ministry said more than 100 patients remain with no potable water.

Not far from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, dozens of members of Gaza鈥檚 tiny Palestinian 海角大神 community gathered at the Holy Family Church to celebrate Easter, with incense wafting through the rare building that appeared untouched by war.

鈥淲e are here with sadness,鈥� attendee Winnie Tarazi said. About 600 people shelter in the compound.

Gaza鈥檚 death toll nears 33,000 and hunger grows

The United Nations and partners warn that聽famine could occur聽in devastated, largely isolated northern Gaza. Humanitarian officials say deliveries by sea and air are not enough and that聽Israel must allow far more aid聽by road. Egypt has said thousands of trucks are waiting.

Israel says it places no limits on deliveries of humanitarian aid. It has blamed the U.N. and other international agencies for the failure to distribute more aid.

Gaza鈥檚 Health Ministry聽said March 31 that at least 32,782 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. The ministry鈥檚 count does not differentiate between civilians and fighters, but it has said that women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed.

Israel says over one-third of the dead are militants, though it has not provided evidence, and it blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the group operates in residential areas.

Amid concerns about a wider conflict in the region, Lebanese state media reported that an Israeli drone struck a car in the southern Lebanese town of Konin.

A Lebanese security official told The Associated Press that Hezbollah militant Ismail al-Zain was killed, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Israel鈥檚 military called Mr. al-Zain a 鈥渟ignificant commander.鈥� Hezbollah confirmed the death.

Late March 31, a Palestinian attacker stabbed three people in southern Israel, seriously wounding them, said the Hatzalah rescue service. Police said the attacker was shot, but gave no further details on his condition.

This story was reported by The Associated Press.