Protest Thousands in Israel show anger at Netanyahu over hostages

Thousands of Israelis joined protests over the weekend calling for a deal to bring home hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas, early elections and the immediate resignation of Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister.

- Jason Burke

The large protests came amid renewed fighting in Gaza, where Israeli troops have advanced for the first time towards the centre of Rafah, the territory's southernmost city, and launched operations in several northern areas where fierce clashes have previously taken place.

There have been weekly protests in Israel since the beginning of the war last October, which was triggered by Hamas's attack into Israel in which 1,200 died, mainly civilians, and about 250 were taken hostage.

Support for the war remains strong but there is fierce criticism of Netanyahu's coalition government, which includes far-right ministers.

In the northern city of Haifa, protesters marched behind a banner reading "May every Israeli parent remember they put their child's life in the hands of Netanyahu, who fails them", while hundreds gathered outside the prime minister's private home in Caesarea, 25 miles away.

Hopes of a ceasefire deal that would have freed at least some of the 132 hostages thought to be held in Gaza rose briefly last week when Hamas accepted a deal proposed by mediators, but were dashed when Netanyahu rejected the terms.

Family members of the hostages, carrying pictures of their loved ones, joined large protests in Tel Aviv.