Protesters clash with police in Israel, several arrested
Photo: A large-scale protest was held in Tel Aviv to demand the release of Hamas hostages (twitter.com/pranamya_parash)
During a protest in Tel Aviv demanding a ceasefire agreement and a hostage exchange with the Palestinian group Hamas, clashes occurred with law enforcement, resulting in arrests among the demonstrators, according to The Times of Israel.
The Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv was cleared of protesters after being blocked for approximately three hours. Thirty demonstrators were detained during the protest, and five people were arrested in Jerusalem.
While on the highway, some protesters threw stones, fences, nails, and metal objects onto the road, ignited fires, and launched fireworks into the air.
MASSIVE protests in Tel Aviv today against Netanyahu’s delay of a hostage deal. (H/T @BarakRavid) pic.twitter.com/z2LyJnkLvh
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) September 1, 2024
*HAPPENING NOW:* Israeli police are dispersing illegal protesters in Tel Aviv, Israel, using stun grenades.
— (((IsraelMatzav))) (@IsraelMatzav) September 1, 2024
*Israeli Police:* The police continue efforts to evacuate and disperse protesters from the Ayalon Highway, using crowd dispersal methods. At this stage, the protesters pic.twitter.com/ITyHnATNFt
In response, the police deployed at least four stun grenades. These caused minor injuries to several individuals and knocked down Labor MP Naama Lazimi and her advisor.
Lazimi reported, “There was then another blast that was close and almost hit us directly.” She added that a police officer noticed the danger and pulled them aside, stating that “miraculously, nothing happened beyond a few superficial bruises.” Lazimi claimed there was no hesitation when the grenades were thrown “completely by surprise and without any warning.”
Around 300,000 Israelis hold protest in Tel Aviv tonight demanding that Netanyahu government do deal right now to secure freedom of hostages still held in Gaza pic.twitter.com/gQHfX2leUn
— sebastian usher (@sebusher) September 1, 2024
The police stated that during the unrest, one officer lost consciousness and was hospitalized, though details of the incident were not provided.
Meanwhile, a 51-year-old demonstrator sustained moderate injuries and was hospitalized after falling from a height of 2.5 meters.
Hamas hostage killings
Recently, Israeli military forces discovered the bodies of six hostages in tunnels beneath the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. These hostages had been captured by Hamas in October of the previous year.
The investigation revealed that the terrorists killed the hostages shortly before Israeli troops reached them.
On the evening of September 1, protests erupted in several Israeli cities, with enraged residents demanding that the government negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas and secure the return of all Israeli hostages.
In July, Hamas agreed to the US proposal to start negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages.
However, the parties have yet to reach a final agreement on the peace terms, and negotiations are ongoing.
