Yahoo TV

STORY: :: Fires burn on Israeli highways as anti-government protesters block roads

:: Tel Aviv, Israel

:: June 27, 2024

:: Groups across the country called for an election to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government

: Aner Ben Ami, Protester

: "Obviously I came here to demonstrate, as you can see behind me, we came here to oppose this government, a government that is just putting us in an endless war with no exit strategy, with with no end in sight, drawing out the war. And we, you know, we need this to stop. We need elections. The government has no trust from the country, from the public and we need it to stop."

: Near Rishon Lezion, Israel

In Tel Aviv, protesters placed a metal cage-like object on the main road leading into the city and lit a fire, bringing traffic to a standstill for scores of vehicles.

Others called for the immediate release of hostages.

Similar protests blocking main highways and junctions took place also south of Tel Aviv, near Rishon Lezion, and north of Tel Aviv, near HaBonim.

Israelis have been protesting for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, during the Islamist group's attack on Israeli border communities that killed at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

After the attack, Israel launched a war against Hamas with the aim to destroy the group that rules the Gaza Strip, killing over 37,000 Palestinians according to the territory's health officials.

Israeli protest groups that have been opposing Netanyahu's government since it announced a judicial reform over a year ago, joined forces to call for the government's resignation and new elections in light of what they perceive as failed handling of the hostage situation and the war in general.