Protesters supported hostages entering the streets of Jerusalem and heading towards Prime Minister Netanyahu’s residence to express their anger at the Gaza city’s plan to take over.
Former soldier Max Kresch held a sign that read “I refuse.”
“We served during the war and refused to continue serving in Netanyahu’s political war with more than 350 soldiers,” he told BBC’s Emir Nader.
Protests occurred across Israel in cities such as Haifa. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv.
Israel’s decision to expand the war in Gaza has sparked condemnation from the United Nations and several countries, including Britain, France and Canada, and prompted Germany to stop military exports to Israel.
The plan was approved by Israel’s security cabinet and listed five “principles for ending the war”: disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, abolishing military forces in the Gaza Strip, enforcing security controls on the territory, and establishing “a alternative civil affairs that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian authorities.”
