Protesters dressed in white, with blood representing hostages killed during the war in Gaza, gathered near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

They held a banner reading "This is Sparta," a reference to Netanyahu’s speech earlier in the week in which he referred to protesters as "Super Sparta."

Sparta is a Greek city-state historically famed for its militaristic society and warrior ethos.

Michel Iluz, father of hostage Guy Iluz, whose body is believed to be held in Gaza, laid down on the ground next to the protesters in white, vowing not to compromise until his son’s body is returned to Israel for burial.

"We will fight for the return of our children and the restoration of the Israeli ethos. You will be with us here, we will set up a tent city here, everywhere here. We will sleep here, we will sleep here and stay here and make our voices heard before the Prime Minister, who betrayed us and the values on which we were raised," he told the crowd.

This comes as Israeli forces pressed on with a new ground offensive in Gaza City on Wednesday as strikes overnight across the Palestinian territory killed at least 16 people, hospital officials said.

The latest Israeli operation, which started Tuesday, further escalates a conflict that has roiled the Middle East and likely pushes any ceasefire farther out of reach.

The Israeli military, which says it wants to “destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure” hasn’t given a timeline for the offensive, but there were indications it could take months.

AP Video by Moshe Edri