Israelis' demo for ceasefire as Netanyahu Vows Retaliation Against Hamas

Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets Sunday night, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secure a cease-fire with Hamas following the discovery of six more hostages killed in Gaza. Demonstrators in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, including relatives of hostages, called for immediate action, chanting, "Now! Now!" in a plea for peace.

Protests intensified outside Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, while in Tel Aviv, relatives of hostages marched with symbolic coffins, expressing frustration with the government's handling of the hostage crisis. "We believe the government is prioritizing its survival over the lives of the hostages. It's time to say, 'Stop!'" said Tel Aviv resident Shlomit Hacohen.

Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu vowed to intensify military efforts against Hamas after Israeli troops found the bodies of six hostages in a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza. According to military officials, the hostages were executed by Hamas militants shortly before Israeli forces reached them. "Those who kill hostages do not want peace," Netanyahu declared. "We will hunt them down, and we will settle the score."

The discovery of the hostages' bodies sparked widespread anger and grief, leading to protests across Israel, where demonstrators called for a cease-fire to bring home the remaining hostages. The protests mark one of the largest demonstrations since the conflict began nearly 11 months ago.

Meanwhile, Israel's largest trade union, Histadrut, announced a general strike set for Monday to pressure the government. The strike is expected to disrupt major sectors, including banking, healthcare, and transportation, further escalating tensions.

Netanyahu also accused Hamas of orchestrating a deadly attack earlier in the day that killed three police officers near Hebron in the West Bank. Although Hamas did not claim responsibility, the group praised the attack as a "heroic operation."

As the conflict continues to escalate, humanitarian pauses were implemented in several areas of Gaza to allow the UN and WHO to vaccinate over 640,000 children against polio, a disease recently detected in the region for the first time in 25 years.

Israeli forces are continuing their operations in Gaza, searching for more hostages in tunnels near where the six bodies were found. The Israeli military remains under pressure to secure the release of the remaining hostages, while Hamas has offered to exchange them for a cease-fire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Calls for a cease-fire are growing, with hostages' families urging Netanyahu to prioritize negotiations and secure their release. "Enough is enough," said Oma Neutra, the mother of another hostage, on CNN. "It's time for the leaders to get this done."

The ongoing Israeli counteroffensive in Gaza has resulted in nearly 41,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials, while the Israeli military claims the toll includes several thousand Hamas fighters. Israel believes around 101 hostages remain in Gaza, with about one-third feared dead.

Hamas has blamed Israel's refusal to agree to a cease-fire for the latest deaths, while Netanyahu has held the militant group responsible. As negotiations stall, frustration among Israelis continues to mount, with demands for a resolution growing louder by the day.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who has been closely monitoring the situation, expressed his sorrow and anger over the deaths, including that of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. "Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes," Biden vowed, adding that the U.S. remains committed to securing the release of the remaining hostages.