Tens of thousands of Israelis take to the streets in Jerusalem in biggest protest against Benjamin Netanyahu since start of Hamas war

Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets at the weekend to demand the release of hostages from Gaza and the removal Benjamin Netanyahu.

Protests were held in cities including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, calling for the release of the estimated 130 people still held captive since October 7.

Families of the hostages were among the crowds calling for the prime minister to leave power, branding him an ‘obstacle to the deal’.

A statement from his office said the 74-year-old was undergoing surgery last night for a hernia. Deputy prime minister and justice minister Yariv Levin would stand in while he was sedated.

Mr Netanyahu has come under growing pressure from the families of the captives to strike a deal with Hamas to free them.

He has insisted Israel will keep fighting until it has destroyed the terrorist group’s military capabilities.

Tens of thousands took to the streets in Israel in what is thought to be the largest protest since the start of the war

Crowds start fires while calling for prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign from his post

Protest leaders called on people to stage a four-day demonstration against the government

Demonstrators hold up Israeli flags and let off smoke flares while demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas

Protesters shout slogans into megaphones in protests in Jerusalem on Sunday

Mr Netanyahu’s office said the 74-year-old was undergoing surgery last night for a hernia

Egyptian broadcaster Al-Qahera reported that negotiations for a truce between Israel and Hamas were due to resume in Cairo yesterday. Protesters in Tel Aviv chanted: ‘Enough killing, enough despair.’

Shira Albag, whose daughter Liri, 19, was among the youngest to be taken hostage, said: ‘The people of Israel won’t forget or forgive anyone who prevents a deal that would bring them [the hostages] back to us.

‘After 176 days, 4,244 hours, the excuses have run out.’ Relatives said it was time to step up the protests and to call for Mr Netanyahu to leave office.

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was taken by Hamas, said the prime minister’s handling of the negotiations was ‘criminal’.

Addressing crowds in Jerusalem, she said: ‘You [Netanyahu] are the obstacle… You are the one who stands between us and the return home of our loved ones. From now we will work to immediately replace you… We will publicly hound you.’

Protest leaders called on supporters to gather outside the Knesset in Jerusalem for a four-day demonstration, and to erect a tent city.

Protesters hold up placards demanding that Mr Netanyahu leave office. Families of hostages have said the prime minister is an ‘obstacle to a deal’

An anti-government demonstrator holds up a placard reading ‘Don’t lie to me Netanyahu, just f***ing leave!’

Protesters demanding the secure release of hostages start a fire and blockade a major road in Jerusalem

Pictured: Protesters clash with ultra-orthodox men in Jerusalem’s Meha Sha’arim neighbourhood on Sunday

Police used water cannons to disperse crowds protesting against Mr Netanyahu’s leadership

A demonstrator sits atop a sign pointing to Israel’s Supreme Court, while holding a sign reading ‘enough’ in hebrew

Police break up protesters blocking a road using water cannons

Demonstrators set up camping tents during the protest on Sunday in Jerusalem

A crowd gathered outside the Knesset, Israel’s parliament to demonstrate against the government and to call for the release of hostages held in Gaza

In Tel Aviv, organisers said Saturday’s demonstration was the biggest seen since the October 7 attacks. Demonstrations blocked major roads and 16 people were arrested.

Clashes with police were also recorded in Jerusalem, where hundreds of protesters broke through barriers to demonstrate near Mr Netanyahu’s home.

In a televised press conference last night before his scheduled surgery, Mr Netanyahu said he was ‘working night and day, burning the midnight oil’ to make sure the hostages were brought home.

He said: ‘I underwent an examination. I thank the people who have already called to show concern for my health, including reporters and I assure you that I will get through this treatment successfully and return to action very quickly, very quickly.’

The prime minister also warned that those calling for him to resign would ‘paralyse’ the country’s efforts to bring the war to an end.