TEL AVIV (Reuters) -Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night to oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to escalate the nearly two-year Gaza war, demanding an immediate end to the campaign and for the release of the hostages.

Thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv on Saturday to call for an end to the war in Gaza, a day after the Israeli government vowed to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City. Demonstrators waved signs and held up pictures of hostages still being held in the Palestinian territory as they called on the government to secure their release.

Russia condemns and rejects Israel's plan to expand its military operation in the Gaza Strip, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. "The implementation of such decisions and plans, which provoke condemnation and rejection,