Opposition leader Lapid calls for Gaza deal to be accepted

[bannork]

Israeli opposition leader, Yair Lapid, urged the right-wing religious government on Tuesday to conclude an agreement with the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas to end the war and secure the release of the remaining hostages.

 

Lapid told the Israeli news portal ynet that a senior representative from one of the mediating countries had informed him that Israel still owed a response to the latest proposal.

 

According to Lapid, the proposal contains 98% of what US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had previously conveyed. This plan includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which initially 10 living hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

 

Israeli opposition leader Lapid calls for Gaza deal to be accepted

[bannork]

Angry Israeli protesters have taken to the streets, burning tires, blocking highways and demanding a Gaza ceasefire to save hostages still held in the Palestinian enclave. Some of the strongest demonstrations since war began were launched as the Israeli military pounded Gaza City in preparation for a fresh and major ground offensive.

 

The public disorder broke out over fears the Israeli government’s relentless attack on Gaza will put the surviving hostages still held in the Strip at even more risk. In Tel Aviv, where regular anti-Netanyahu protests are frequent, black smoke rose from burning tires set ablaze on 4th Avenue, which was blocked by Israeli protesters.

 

Israelis protested by blocking some main roads in the coastal city, demanding the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. And it came as three more Palestinians died of starvation, taking the hunger toll to 303 since the war began, including 117 children dead from lack of food.