Israeli Anti-Government Protests Escalate

The anti-government protesters have once again stormed the streets in Israel, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanding early elections in the country amid its ongoing war with Hamas.

Earlier this week, tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Jerusalem, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and more attempts to release captives held in Gaza.

After demonstrating in front of the Israeli parliament, where they lit fires and waved the flag, protesters closed a major municipal route.

The demonstrators took to the streets of Tel Aviv, Caesarea and Haifa, where they called for the release of the hostages by waving Israeli flags and holding signs featuring their images.

"We are not afraid; you destroyed the country, and we will fix it. We want them (hostages) back alive and not in coffins," the protesters in Tel Aviv were heard chanting.

Another banner called for the "division of religion and state," and one stated that "Netanyahu is dangerous to Israel."

Demonstrators in Haifa referred to the government as a failure, calling Netanyahu "guilty, guilty, guilty."

"Elections now!" read another banner held by a protester.

Israelis have been expressing increasing dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's management of the ongoing conflict, and the release of the hostages who have been held in Gaza since October 7.

In Tel Aviv, a protester was arrested for punching and injuring a police officer during an anti-government rally, according to a statement from the Israeli Police.

The Israel Police also warned protesters not to light bonfires as demonstrators march through the streets, saying it can be "life-threatening" around the crowd.

"We will act with zero tolerance towards those who disrupt the order and behave violently towards police officers," authorities said in a statement.