Thousands protest in Israel after Netanyahu's order to resume fighting in Gaza

Thousands of Israeli protesters marched towards Jerusalem and rallied outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Wednesday to call for the return of Gaza hostages and the safeguarding of democracy.

Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza and killed more than 400 people on Tuesday, Palestinian health authorities said, shattering nearly two months of relative calm since a ceasefire began, as Israel warned the onslaught was "just the beginning."

The decision to resume the war, with 59 hostages — around 24 of whom are believed to be alive — still held in Gaza, has added fresh momentum to the anger of protesters, who accuse the government of continuing the war for political reasons.

While his right-wing coalition holds together, Netanyahu has been able to defy the protests and stave off calls for new elections, which polls suggest he would lose due to continuing public anger.