Tens of thousands of people in Israel have taken to the streets in support of a deal with Palestinian Islamist Hamas on Saturday evening, after details emerged of the proposal for a hostage agreement accepted by Israel.
The demonstration was the latest after similar weekly protests over te past few months as people call for an agreement with Hamas, and criticize the Israeli government.
In central Tel Aviv, the organizers said 120,000 demonstrators rallied on Saturday, demanding new elections and shouting that the current coalition's time is up, according to the Times of Israel.
Many demonstrators are also slamming the Israeli leadership for not doing enough to release those kidnapped by Hamas in October.
Several people whose family members are being held hostage addressed the media on Saturday, calling on the government to accept the proposal presented by US President Joe Biden on Friday.
The Times of Israel quoted a woman whose son is being held in the Gaza Strip. She said Biden's speech offered real hope for the first time after a lengthy period of despair.
Biden gave a public speech on Friday, knowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could still reject the deal, she said. "Biden wanted the public to know what was really on the table." She said she was concerned because Netanyahu had not yet publicly approved the deal.
Netanyahu again said that the conditions for ending the war remain unchanged, repeating that a prerequisite is the destruction of Hamas' leadership and military capabilities and the return of all hostages, according to a statement issued by his office on Saturday.
A similar statement had already been published on Friday evening after Biden's speech, ruling out that Israel would agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions were met.
Hamas meanwhle insists on an end to the war before it will release any more hostages.
Rallies were also held in Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheva and other cities on Saturday evening, demanding the release of the hostages.
