Thousands of Israeli anti government protesters have gathered in Tel Aviv, among other parts of the country, to call on the government to reach a deal to free dozens of captives held by the Hamas group in Gaza and to hold early elections.

The demonstrators shouted slogans late on Saturday, expressing anger at Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for its inability to secure the release of the captives after six months of fighting.

Israeli media reported scenes of confrontations between security forces and protesters in Tel Aviv, where demonstrators reportedly started several fires, before they were quickly put out by the police.

The protest organizers quoted by local media said rallies were taking place at about 50 other locations nationwide in addition to Tel Aviv. Such Saturday protests have become a regular occurrence in Tel Aviv and other parts of the country, since the early months of the war that began on October 7.

The latest demonstrations come as ceasefire negotiations which include discussions about the release of the captives are set to take place in Cairo. The talks are being mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.