Israeli Protests Highlight Child Deaths in Gaza Amid Conflict

Since Israel broke the ceasefire with Hamas on March 18, hundreds of Israeli activists have held silent vigils in cities like Tel Aviv to mourn the unprecedented number of Palestinian children killed in Gaza. These demonstrations, which feature portraits of slain children and no slogans or banners, stand in stark contrast to the general indifference in Israeli public discourse and media toward Gaza's suffering. The vigils have coincided with larger anti-government protests, often prompting passersby to join or reflect on the human toll of the conflict. Organizers say the movement began spontaneously out of horror at the mounting death toll, with at least 322 children reported killed in the first ten days after fighting resumed. Despite police attempts to ban the protests, the vigils have continued to gain momentum in multiple Israeli cities, creating a rare public space for grief over Palestinian losses. These actions represent a significant shift within segments of Israeli society, challenging the prevailing silence around the devastation in Gaza.