Israeli protesters took to the streets across the country on Saturday, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In Tel Aviv, thousands of people took part in a massive anti-Netanyahu protest on Saturday evening.

The demonstrators criticized Netanyahu for prolonging the fighting, and for failing to negotiate the release of more than 130 hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip.

One man said Netanyahu is playing with hostages' lives for political reasons. He said Israel should accept a deal now on the table, because the lives of hostages are what matter most.

Another man accused the prime minister of prolonging the war without a solution to end the fighting.

Sunday marks six months since the conflict erupted between Israeli forces and the Islamic group Hamas.

About 1,200 people were initially killed when Hamas fighters crossed the border and launched attacks on October 7 last year. That prompted the Israeli military to launch a retaliatory operation.

Health authorities in Gaza say more than 33,000 people have been killed there. They say the humanitarian situation has worsened as Israeli forces continue air strikes and other offensives.

United Nations aid agencies are warning that famine is looming in Gaza.

Hamas released a statement on Saturday that said it is sending delegation to Egypt on Sunday to negotiate a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

US news website Axios reports that American and Israeli delegations, along with officials from the countries mediating the negotiations, are expected to meet in Egypt in an attempt to break the deadlock.

But there are still wide disagreements between the warring sides.

Hamas is calling for a permanent ceasefire, while Israel is poised to launch a ground offensive in Rafah, to exterminate Hamas.