'Don't bomb:' Israelis call for ending Iran war

Carrying anti-war banners and chanting slogans against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hundreds of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest the war with Iran.

Demonstrators gathered in a central square, holding signs that read: "Don't bomb — talk! End the endless war!" despite restrictions on mass gatherings imposed during the conflict with Iran.

"Police are trying to silence our voice," Alon-Lee Green, the co-director of Israeli-Palestinian grassroots group Standing Together, told AFP.

"We are here to demand an end to the war in Iran, the war in Lebanon, and the war in Gaza which is still going on, as well as an end to the pogroms in the West Bank.

"In Israel, there's always a war. So, if we're not allowed to demonstrate, we will never be allowed to speak," he added.

Protesters also voiced scepticism about the government's justification for the war with Iran.

A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Donald Trump while holding a puppet of a baby with a mask depicting Benjamin Netanyahu during an anti-war protest in Tel Aviv. Reuters

"I'm very suspicious of the reasons. I think the main reason is that Bibi wants to stop his trial," said Cecile, 62, who gave only her first name, referring to Netanyahu with his nickname.

Netanyahu is on a trial in a long-running corruption case and has sought a presidential pardon, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly pressuring Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant one.

"The reasons for the war keep moving and changing all the time. We don't know what will be considered a success or a failure, and we don't know how long it's gonna take," she said.

Protesters held the rally despite restrictions on mass gatherings imposed since the start of the war.

Since midnight, several waves of Iranian missiles have been launched towards Israel, including targets in Tel Aviv and other areas of central Israel.

At least five people were injured after the missile fire, according to Israeli medics.

Agence France-Presse