As the seventh month of the Israel-Hamas War begins, demonstrators against the government call for PM Netanyahu’s resignation and an early election

Once again, anti-government demonstrators have taken to Israel’s streets, demanding early elections in the midst of the nation’s protracted conflict with Hamas and the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to CNN, the protesters flocked to the streets on Saturday in Tel Aviv, Caesarea, and Haifa, where they held posters with photographs of the captives and waved Israeli flags in support of their release.

“We will rebuild the nation; you destroyed it, therefore, we are not frightened. According to CNN, demonstrators in Tel Aviv were heard yelling, “We want them (the hostages) back alive and not in coffins.”

One sign said that “Netanyahu is dangerous to Israel,” while another advocated for the “division of religion and state.” Haifa protesters referred to the government as a failure and branded Netanyahu as “guilty, guilty, guilty,” CNN reports.

A demonstrator was holding another banner that said, “Elections now!”

Israelis’ discontent with Netanyahu’s handling of the current crisis and the hostages’ release—who have been detained in Gaza since October 7—has been growing.

According to an Israeli Police statement, a demonstrator in Tel Aviv was taken into custody after assaulting and hurting a police officer on Saturday during an anti-government demonstration.

Additionally, as protestors marched through the streets, the Israel Police issued a warning to them not to start bonfires because doing so might be “life-threatening” near the throng.

In a statement, officials said, “We will act with zero tolerance towards those who disrupt the order and behave violently towards police officers,” CNN reported.

Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in Jerusalem earlier this week, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and more efforts to free prisoners detained in Gaza.

Following their Sunday night demonstration in front of the Israeli parliament, during which they waved the flag and set bonfires, demonstrators blocked a busy municipal thoroughfare.

They said that since the Gaza War began in October, this was the biggest protest to have taken place. Netanyahu “must go,” shouted the protestors, and the police retaliated by shoving and jostling the throng with water cannons.

As opponents of his right-wing administration have banded together with the relatives of the approximately one hundred captives that Hamas in Gaza still holds, the prime minister has been under mounting pressure.

Even before Israel’s attack on Gaza, months had passed during which protesters had voiced their opposition to Netanyahu over disputed judicial changes.

About 250 captives were taken by Hamas on October 7, of whom Israel believes that 130 remain in Gaza, 33 of whom are believed to be dead, according to Al Jazeera.

Following Hamas’ October 7 offensive, in which over 2,500 militants crossed the border from the Gaza Strip into Israel, resulting in injuries and the taking of hostages, the situation in Gaza worsened.