Protests were reported in Israel against the refusal to negotiate a hostage deal

Protests are taking place in Israel against the government's plan to abandon negotiations on an agreement on the release of hostages in favor of the occupation of the Gaza Strip. This was reported on August 5 by The Times of Israel (TOI) newspaper.

Dozens of protesters block traffic on the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv during a demonstration against the government's widely publicized plan to abandon negotiations on a hostage deal in favor of the occupation of the Gaza Strip, the newspaper noted.

According to the newspaper, the protests began after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security meeting. According to TOI, it was decided to occupy those parts of Gaza that are not yet controlled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Occupation plan: Israel is close to taking over Gaza completely

The IDF now controls 75% of the exclave.

Earlier, on August 4, the Israeli government, led by Netanyahu, was preparing to approve a plan for the complete occupation of the Gaza Strip. It is noted that the country's leadership intends to switch to active combat operations throughout the enclave. At the same time, the government stressed that the army's actions will be carried out even in areas where hostages are being held.

On the same day, it was reported that the Palestinian Hamas movement was open to negotiations on a comprehensive agreement on Gaza that would end the conflict in the Palestinian enclave and free all hostages. It was clarified that Hamas considers the search for a comprehensive agreement to be the key to negotiations on its long-standing demands for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a long-term end to the war.

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