Thousands protest against government outside PM's house in Jerusalem, demanding hostage deal

Thousands of anti-government protesters are gathered in Jerusalem near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s house, calling for early elections and for the government to close a deal to free Israeli captives in Gaza, amid reports of a breakthrough in hostage-ceasefire talks.

Police are deployed in force, blocking traffic in both directions with barriers and vehicles on Azza Street.

Before rallying near Netanyahu’s house, protesters marched through central Jerusalem, chanting for the government to close a deal with Hamas to free the remaining 116 hostages abducted on October 7.

A statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum quoted by Hebrew media called on the public to join the rally in Jerusalem.

“After 272 days, Hamas’s response to the ‘Netanyahu deal’ was received – not another minute must be wasted,” the Hostages Forum says.