Protests Erupt in Israel Over Netanyahu's Gaza War

-Protesters gathered outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence to protest the government’s decision to resume the war in Gaza on March 19. The protests were fueled by the ongoing hostage crisis, with 59 hostages, including around 24 believed to be alive, still held in Gaza. Demonstrators accused the government of prolonging the conflict for political gain. The protests escalated after Netanyahu’s announcement over the weekend that he had dismissed Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, which critics viewed as undermining a key state institution. Thousands of protesters marched towards Jerusalem, demanding the return of the hostages and the protection of democracy. Israeli police responded by using water cannons to disperse the crowds. The combination of the resumption of the war, the hostage situation, and the controversial dismissal of Bar led to widespread discontent with Netanyahu’s leadership and his handling of the crisis