Thousands march in Tel Aviv demanding hostage deal

Thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding the Israeli government reach a deal to secure the release of hostages captive in Gaza. 

Protesters could be seen lighting flares and holding signs during the demonstration. 

The war in Gaza began when Hamas launched a surprise attack into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 people hostage. 

Around 100 people are still held captive, a third of whom are believed to be dead. 

Most were released during a cease-fire last year. 

In retaliation towards attack by Hamas, the Israeli government’s offensive killed over 41,000 Palestinians in the territory, according to the Gaza’s Health Ministry. 

The ministry does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count, but says a little over half killed were women and children. 

In an update in the conflict, Israeli forces and the Lebanese paramilitary group Hezbollah have been carrying out intensifying attacks along the Lebanon-Israel border as fears of a wider war continue to rise.