Israeli protesters say airstrikes are ‘cover’ for Benjamin Netanyahu to keep power

Gershon Baskinpeace activist

We all know that Netanyahu never had the intention to enter phase two of the ceasefire because he never had the intention of ending the war in Gaza

said Gershon Baskin, the former Israeli hostage negotiator on Tuesday

They can still be brought home. And those who did not survive deserve to be returned and buried with dignity … We must return to the ceasefire and negotiations, and secure their release. A deal is the only way to bring them all back. Please, do not let other families suffer the same fate as mine,

Svatitzky said

The past weeks have proven … Hamas will never return all the hostages willingly. Only massive military pressure, a complete blockade including cutting off electricity and water, and occupation of territories that will lead to Hamas’s collapse, will cause them to beg for a ceasefire and a deal that will return all the hostages together, in one stage,

the Tikva Forum of Hostages’ Families said in a statement

The reality is that this attack [in Gaza] is being used as a tool for political interests. The way [they] operate is to create this external threat and accuse those who raise their voices of being antidemocratic,

said Ora Peled Nakash, a former senior officer in Israel’s navy and an organiser of the protests