Tens of thousands of Israelis take to the streets in Jerusalem in biggest protest against Benjamin Netanyahu since start of Hamas war --Demonstrators lit fires and smoke flares while demanding release of hostages | 31 March 2024 | Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets at the weekend to demand the release of hostages from Gaza and the removal Benjamin Netanyahu. Protests were held in cities including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, calling for the release of the estimated 130 people still held captive since October 7. Families of the hostages were among the crowds calling for the prime minister to leave power, branding him an "obstacle to the deal." A statement from his office said the 74-year-old was undergoing surgery last night for a hernia. Mr Netanyahu has come under growing pressure from the families of the captives to strike a deal with Hamas to free them.