Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets demanding a ceasefire deal, following the tragic discovery of six more captives dead in Gaza. The protests on Sunday night marked one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in Israel since the Gaza conflict began nearly 11 months ago.
Protesters chanted “Now! Now!” urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a ceasefire with the Palestinian group Hamas to bring the remaining captives home. Demonstrations occurred across Tel Aviv, with many blocking roads and gathering outside Netanyahu’s office in West Jerusalem.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing families of captives held in Gaza, stated that the deaths were a direct result of Netanyahu’s failure to negotiate a halt to the fighting. “They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity,” the forum said.
Gil Dickmann, a cousin of one of the deceased, Carmel Gat, called on Israelis to intensify pressure on the government. “Take to the streets and shut down the country until everyone returns. They can still be saved,” Dickmann posted on X.
Gideon Levy, a columnist with Haaretz, criticized Netanyahu for defending right-wing parties in his government that oppose concessions to Hamas. Levy noted that within Netanyahu’s Likud Party, the largest group in the government, Netanyahu has significant power, which limits internal dissent. “The real, only possible challenge would be the streets, but it is too early to judge,” Levy said.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Israel’s largest trades union federation, the Histadrut, has called for a general strike, the first since October 7. The strike aims to pressure the government into signing a ceasefire deal, with Ben Gurion Airport set to close from 8am (05:00 GMT) on Monday. The strike will also target major sectors including banking and healthcare.
Histadrut chief Arnon Bar-David emphasized the urgency of a deal, stating, “We are getting body bags instead of a deal.” The strike has garnered support from Israel’s main manufacturers and high-tech sector, reflecting widespread public anger.
Municipal services in Tel Aviv will also be disrupted. The Manufacturers Association of Israel endorsed the strike and accused the government of failing in its “moral duty” to secure the return of the captives. Association head Ron Tomer warned that without the hostages’ return, ending the war and rehabilitating the economy would be impossible.
Israeli opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid supported the strike. However, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has requested the Attorney General to block the nationwide strike, arguing it lacks legal grounds and could cause significant economic damage during wartime.
Negotiations for a truce between Israel and Hamas have stalled for months, with many blaming Netanyahu for the lack of progress. The Israeli military reports that at least 40,738 people have been killed and 94,154 wounded in Gaza since October 7. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7 attacks, with about 250 captives taken by Hamas. The Israeli army has acknowledged that only a comprehensive deal can facilitate a large-scale return of captives.
