On Saturday, thousands of Israeli protesters gathered in Tel Aviv, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas to secure the release of over 130 Israeli hostages in Gaza. This public demonstration coincided with meetings between Hamas officials and mediators in Cairo discussing a new proposal which includes a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange. The seven-month conflict in Gaza has escalated tensions and placed pressure on Netanyahu’s government to act.

Separately, Karen Pollock, head of a prominent charity, criticized comparisons of modern-day Israel to Nazi Germany, especially around Holocaust Remembrance Day, as disrespectful and harmful to Holocaust victims’ memory. Pollock’s remarks come amid heightened sensitivities around Israel’s actions in Gaza, which have also led some U.S. Congress members to call on President Biden to reassess U.S. aid to Israel. These lawmakers cited impediments imposed by Israel on humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in severe crises, including famine.

Furthermore, in related developments in the region, reports of an impending Israeli military operation in Rafah raised international concerns over potential civilian harm. Despite these tensions, speculation about an imminent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas suggests possible progress, with discussions still ongoing.