Protests erupt with Israelis divided over government’s plan to “control” Gaza

Families of the hostages still being held in Gaza led widespread protests on Thursday against the Israeli government’s plans to “control” the territory, demanding instead an end to the war and a release of all the remaining captives. Members of government also castigated the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan, with his military chief of staff concerned that his troops would be too depleted, and opposition leader Yair Lapid claiming the human and financial price of maintaining a hold over all of Gaza would be too steep after almost two years of fighting.