Estimated 500,000 people gather in Tel Aviv to demand end to war and release of hostages; Amnesty International accuses Israel of enacting ‘deliberate policy’ of starvation in Gaza
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza.
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening to demand an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages – one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the start of the fighting in October 2023.
Amnesty International on Monday accused Israel of enacting a “deliberate policy” of starvation in Gaza, citing testimonies of displaced Palestinians and medical staff treating malnourished children in the territory. Israel, while heavily restricting aid allowed into the Gaza Strip, has repeatedly rejected claims of deliberate starvation in the 22-month-old war. Contacted by AFP, the military and foreign ministry did not immediately comment on Amnesty’s findings.
The Australian government cancelled the visa of a far-right Israeli politician on Monday ahead of a speaking tour, a move event organisers tagged “viciously antisemitic”. Simcha Rothman, whose party is part of Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, had been scheduled to speak at events organised by the Australian Jewish Association.