Israel rescues four hostages in raid. Gaza authorities say more than 270 dead: Live updates

Police said 33 people were arrested during anti-government protests in Tel Aviv on Saturday as demonstrators blocked roads and demanded the release of all hostages held in Gaza and a ceasefire.

According to police, several hundred protesters violated public order on Kaplan Street, also known as Democracy Square, by blocking traffic, setting fires and confronting police.

Authorities arrested 33 people who had blocked main roads and dispersed the demonstrations, police said. All roads have now been reopened.

Videos of Saturday’s protests showed police using water cannon to disperse crowds, sparking fears of police violence.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, expressed concern in separate posts about reports of police violence and called for an investigation into the allegations.

Many are also calling for new elections and believe that the current government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must resign.

This comes as Netanyahu faces growing domestic tensions, including the possible resignation of Gantz, a key member of the country’s wartime emergency government.

Following the rescue of four Israeli hostages from Gaza on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Gantz urged the war-time emergency government not to be abandoned, saying: “Faced with the great tasks ahead of us, we must remain united within ourselves.”