Hundreds of protesters demanding an end to the war in Gaza and the return of hostages rallied in Israel Tuesday morning, ahead of a security cabinet meeting scheduled for the evening that could discuss resuming negotiations for a truce in the Palestinian territory.

The meeting was announced Monday evening after Israeli strikes on a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip killed five journalists, including three working for Al Jazeera, Reuters, and AP, sparking international outrage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "tragic accident" and ordered an investigation, but the military has not commented on the purpose of the raids.

Mr. Netanyahu's office did not disclose the security cabinet's agenda, but according to local media, it is expected to discuss a resumption of negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages.

Early Tuesday morning, hundreds of protesters blocked traffic on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

At the northern entrance to the coastal metropolis, an AFP photographer saw about 400 people stopping cars, waving Israeli flags and photos of the hostages.

Other protesters gathered near a local branch of the US embassy, as well as outside the homes of several ministers across the country, according to an AFP journalist and Israeli media.

"We demand that our leaders sit down at the negotiating table and not move until an agreement is reached," said Hagit Chen, whose son is captive in Gaza.

Yehuda Cohen, the father of another hostage, laments that Benjamin Netanyahu is ignoring the opinion of "the vast majority of citizens," who want an end to the war in Gaza. "We must reach an agreement on the hostages. My son Nimrod must be freed."

Of the 251 people kidnapped on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza, 49 remain held there, including at least 27 dead according to the Israeli army.

"Their time is running out," worries Tsipi Haitovsky, who is also campaigning for "an end to the ongoing bloodbath in Gaza."

Last week, Mr. Netanyahu ordered the opening of negotiations to free all the hostages, a few days after Hamas endorsed a new ceasefire proposal presented by the mediators, Egypt, Qatar and the United States.

According to Palestinian sources, it provides for the staggered release of hostages during an initial 60-day truce, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

At the same time, Mr. Netanyahu gave the green light to a new military offensive to take control of Gaza City, considered one of the last bastions of the Palestinian Islamist movement.

"Protecting" journalists

The Israeli strikes that killed the five journalists - and 15 others according to the Gaza Civil Defense - were condemned by the UN and several countries including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, which called for the "protection" of journalists.

Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera, the Canadian-British news agencies Reuters and the American Associated Press expressed their shock and sadness.

According to Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal, Nasser Hospital was targeted twice, first by an explosive drone, then by an aerial bombardment while the wounded were being evacuated.

Given Israeli media restrictions and the difficulties of accessing the media on the ground, AFP is unable to independently verify information from various parties.

The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data. Of the 251 people kidnapped that day, 49 remain in Gaza, 27 of whom have died, according to the army.

The Israeli reprisal campaign has left at least 62,744 dead in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas Health Ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN, and plunged the devastated and besieged Palestinian territory into a humanitarian catastrophe.