Thousands of Israelis gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday for a final large rally against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, three days before a general election the Associated Press described as close and among the most consequential in the country's history.

Source: Associated Press

The rally was organised by the October Council, a group founded by families of victims and hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza. Protesters demanded a state commission of inquiry into the security failures that allowed the attack. The council said the demonstration marked the culmination of three years of struggle to uncover the truth and establish accountability.

Source: Al Jazeera

Netanyahu has refused an independent inquiry. His government has instead proposed a political commission whose members would be appointed by both the governing coalition and opposition lawmakers — a proposal opposition leaders have rejected, saying an investigation should be independent of political influence, Al Jazeera reported.

Source: Al Jazeera

Netanyahu's chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party, attended the rally and was greeted with chants of "Who's coming? The next prime minister", the Times of Israel reported. Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats, also took part, and anti-government demonstrations were reported elsewhere in Israel, according to the Haaretz newspaper. The rally echoed the weekly protests once held to call for the release of hostages taken into Gaza; all hostages or their remains were eventually released, but Netanyahu has been accused of delaying deals to free them sooner.

Source: Associated Press

Opinion polls ahead of Tuesday's October 27 election suggest a tight race, with Netanyahu's right-wing bloc, in power since late 2022, neck and neck with Eisenkot's alliance, and neither side currently projected to win enough seats for a majority in parliament. Reports said the result could also influence whether Israel launches another round of strikes on Iran, with Eisenkot believed to be less inclined to resume military action against Tehran, although the leading parties remain largely aligned on other foreign-policy issues, including opposition to an independent Palestinian state.

Source: Al Jazeera