Israel: Violent clashes between police and demonstrators who attempted to storm Netanyahu’s residence

Hundreds of Israeli demonstrators demanding a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas managed to storm barriers near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in West Jerusalem and engage in violent confrontations with police officers.

Demonstrations erupted in Israel, in several cities including Beersheba, coinciding with a press conference by Netanyahu, in which he dismissed the demands of the prisoners’ families to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor (on the border between Gaza and Egypt), stressing that Israel won’t withdraw from it.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, “Hundreds of demonstrators stormed checkpoints in Jerusalem, where protests are being held demanding the release of the Israeli hostages in Gaza, in front of the Prime Minister’s residence on in West Jerusalem”.

According to the Israeli newspaper, violent clashes took place between demonstrators and the Israeli police, and there were injuries and arrests.

Thousands of protesters demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s residence, demanding an immediate deal to release the prisoners.

The demonstrators carried 6 empty coffins covered with the Israeli flag, in reference to 6 Israeli prisoners in Gaza whose bodies were returned by the army after they were killed in a tunnel.

They also held signs reading “Criminal,” referring to Netanyahu, “Save Israel from yourself,” and “Deal now”.

In a statement, the Israeli police said, “Six were arrested for disorderly conduct during the Jerusalem demonstration”.

The statement added, “Five demonstrators tried to reach the closed complex near the Prime Minister’s residence via bypass roads, but were unable to do so”.

In Tel Aviv, hundreds of Israelis demonstrated in front of Begin Bridge in the center of the city, while thousands marched north on the way to the headquarters of the Likud Party headed by Netanyahu on King George Street, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.