Israel is facing increasing pressure to agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal. On Saturday night, hours after the hostages were freed, thousands of Israeli protesters took to the streets. In Tel Aviv, police fired water cannons and made at least 33 arrests.
On Sunday, Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz resigned from Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and called for new elections.

Benny Gantz: “Regrettably, Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory, which is the justification for the ongoing and painful cost of war. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence.”

Shortly after Gantz resigned, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded a spot in the war cabinet.

This comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in the Middle East for meetings in Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Qatar to push for the ceasefire and hostage deal outlined by President Biden.