The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which organized the "Israel on Hold” protests, said that over a million people took part in the demonstrations across the country on Sunday. Per the organization, almost 500,000 protesters gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.

Israel’s central bank left interest rates unchanged for a 13th consecutive time, as policymakers weigh a slowdown in the economy against ongoing uncertainty from the country’s nearly two-year war in Gaza.

The military says troops are already operating in some areas ahead of the planned operation to occupy all of the city.