As per reports, many individuals including activists and families of hostages, blocked a major road in Tel Aviv on Wednesday (01 January) evening to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s failure to reach an early agreement with Hamas to release hostages in Gaza. The protesters closed the Ayalon Highway, demanding that the Israeli government take immediate action to negotiate a comprehensive deal.

As part of their demonstration, they lit a large menorah and other fires to mark the final candle of Hanukkah, a Jewish religious ritual.