Thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv 
for the weekly anti-government protest demanding a ceasefire and a deal to return hostages from Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar in a sign of progress in talks on the war in Gaza.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and abducting around 250. A third of the 100 hostages still held in Gaza are believed to be dead.
Israel launched air and ground operations have killed over 46,000 people in the Strip since October 2023 according to Gaza’s health ministry that does not distinguish between civilians and militants but said that at least half of the killed are children and women.
The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. It blames Hamas for civilian deaths because it says militants operate in residential areas.
