Middle East: Israelis call for hostage deal, end to war

Israel is now focusing on Gaza City in the latest phase of its offensive in the Palestinian enclave, the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, said.

"Today we are approving the plan for the next phase of the war," he said.

He said that Israel would "move on to the next phase" of its operations and "continue to enhance strikes against Hamas in Gaza City until its decisive defeat."

On Saturday, Israel said it was preparing to move Palestinians away from Gaza City and other areas to what it designated as "safe zones" in the south.

Israel's plans to expand its offensive in Gaza has been met with international condemnation, including from multiple Western states and even allies.

Israeli actress Gal Gadot visited what has come to be known as Hostages Square in Tel Aviv in order to show solidarity toward Israelis held in captivity in Gaza.

A video released by a group representing the relatives of hostages showed Gadot comforting the wife of a hostage.

Gadot also spoke with Einav Zangauker, who has repeatedly expressed criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the offensive in Gaza. Her son Matan has been held in the territory for nearly two years.

It comes as demonstrators took to the streets of Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities to call for a deal leading to the end of the war in Gaza and the release of hostages still held in the Palestinian territory.

According to the Israeli military, around 49 hostages still remain in Gaza, around 27 of whom are thought to be dead.

Some 251 people were taken into Gaza during Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and around 1,200 others were killed.

Israel's military intercepted a missile fired at Israel from Yemen on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

Sirens were triggered in several parts of the country, including in Tel Aviv.

Israel said it had launched strikes on what it described as an "energy infrastructure site" in Yemen used by Houthi rebels.

The Houthi militant group has regularly fired missiles and drones at Israel since the start of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, saying it is acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned protesters who have been calling for an end to the war in Gaza at nationwide demonstrations on Sunday.

"Those calling today for an end to the war without the defeat of Hamas not only harden Hamas' position and draw out the release of our hostages, but also ensure that the horrors of October 7 will reoccur," Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting.

October 7 was the day in 2023 when Hamas-led militants carried out the deadly attacks in southern Israel that triggered Israel's ongoing Gaza offensive.

The US government said on Saturday it was halting all visitor visas for people from Gaza  while it conducts "a full and thorough" review.

The move, which will stop injured children from Gaza being brought to the US for medical treatment, comes after posts by influential far-right figure Laura Loomer alleged that Gazans entering the country on special visas had links to Hamas.

You can read the full story here: US suspends medical visas for Gazans after far-right posts

Israel's military said Sunday it had struck an "energy infrastructure site" in Yemen used by the Houthi rebels, an attack it said was conducted "in response to repeated attacks" by the Iran-backed group.

A statement said Israeli forces "struck... deep inside Yemen, targeting an energy infrastructure site that served the Houthi terrorist regime" somewhere near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which is in rebel hands.

The statement did not name the site, but Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported "an aggression targeting the Haziz power plant" south of Sanaa, citing civil defense agencies.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Since Israel began its Gaza offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023 in response to a deadly attack on Israel,  the Houthis have regularly fired missiles and drones at Israel, saying their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians.

 Israel has intercepted most Houthi attacks but has carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen targeting the group.

Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel on Sunday, with Tel Aviv a focus for protests calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages still held by militants in the Palestinian enclave.

Protesters in Tel Aviv blocked several roads in the city, including the highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while a huge Israeli flag covered with portraits of the remaining captives was unfurled in so-called Hostage Square.  

Protest organizers and the main campaign group representing the families of hostages also called a general strike that caused many businesses to close.

Protesters say they fear further fighting could endanger the hostages still thought to be in Gaza.

Police employed water cannon and made more than two dozen arrests for "disruption of order" during the protests.

The demonstrations were condemned by some members of the Israeli goverment, with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich saying public pressure to obtain a deal "buries the hostages in tunnels and seeks to push the State of Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardize its security and future."

The protests come after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to seize Gaza City as the Israeli military continues its more than 22-month offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The offensive was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 251 people were taken hostage in addition to the some 1,200 killed.

Forty-nine of the hostages remain in Gaza, 27 of whom are dead, according to the Israeli military.

DW is covering the Middle East, as Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza continues to have repercussions throughout the region and beyond.

Sunday has seen widespread protests in Israel against the war, with demonstrators saying the ongoing fighting is hampering efforts to bring home hostages held in Gaza by Palestinian militants.

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