Scuffles at protest near Israel PM's residence

Thousands of Israelis gathered outside the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem on Saturday, despite record levels of coronavirus infections, calling on Benjamin Netanyahu to resign as he is on trial for corruption charges.

The government's mishaps in handling the coronavirus crisis after relative success in its early stages have fuelled the demonstrations which have been going on for more than three months.

A rapid spike in infections has seen the death toll surpass 1000 and the country is mulling a new lockdown.

Israel currently has over 26,000 active COVID-19 patients.

Police have clashed with protesters on several occasions and used water cannons to clear them off main streets and squares, though in recent weeks the gatherings have been calmer.

Protesters were carrying makeshift submarines – a reference to a corruption case involving a potential conflict of interest over a $2 billion purchase of German submarines - and broke through a police cordon.

Netanyahu has vowed to remain in office despite being charged last year with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three long-running corruption investigations.

(Image Credit: AP)