Protesters are gathering across Israel, calling for an end to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and the return of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas, BBC reports.

The demonstrations are being organised by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and come ahead of Israel’s planned invasion of Gaza City.

Images from Israel “show traffic on major highways coming to a near standstill as demonstrations take place across the country”, BBC notes.

Footage also showed protesters burning tires and blocking traffic near the kibbutz of Yakum.

 A drone view of protesters blocking the Ayalon highway during a demonstration demanding the immediate end of the offensive and the release of all hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Aug 26, 2025. — Reuters/Aviv Atlas
A drone view of protesters blocking the Ayalon highway during a demonstration demanding the immediate end of the offensive and the release of all hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Aug 26, 2025. — Reuters/Aviv Atlas

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