Israel’s political landscape is once again in turmoil as thousands of protesters take to the streets, reigniting the country’s deep-seated divisions.

In Jerusalem, law enforcement used skunk water to disperse protesters who had obstructed the city’s main highway. The crowd’s demands ranged from Netanyahu’s resignation and early elections to an immediate agreement to release approximately 130 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

The protesters’ fear, shared by the hostages’ families and friends, is that the ongoing war will result in more deaths if a deal is not reached soon. However, Netanyahu’s critics argue that the real threats to democracy are already present in his government, which relies on the support of ultra-nationalist Jewish parties.

Netanyahu, who once claimed he was the only one capable of ensuring Israel’s safety, is now being held accountable by many Israelis for the security failures that allowed Hamas to launch such a devastating attack. Despite his security chiefs admitting their mistakes, Netanyahu has yet to accept any responsibility, further fueling public outrage.

The ongoing protests and the handling of the war, coupled with the failure to rescue or free all hostages, are putting Netanyahu under significant pressure, potentially threatening his political career.

Read more at BBC News.