A nationwide strike set to commence on Monday aims to pressure Israel’s government into securing the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
According to AFP, the strike, initiated by Israel’s largest union, Histadrut, follows a night of intense demonstrations where tens of thousands of people protested in grief and anger over the recent deaths of six hostages in Gaza.
The six hostages—identified as Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, and Ori Danino—were discovered dead in an underground tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza, as announced by the Israeli military.
Their deaths have sparked widespread criticism of the government for its perceived inadequacy in ensuring their safe return and has led to demands for a ceasefire to rescue the remaining captives.
Chairman of the Histadrut union, Arnon Bar-David, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We must stop the abandonment of the hostages… I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention can shake those who need to be shaken.”
He announced a full strike of the Israeli economy starting Monday morning at six.
Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 97 are still held in Gaza, with 33 reported deceased by the army.
Efforts to secure the hostages’ release have seen some success with a truce in November, but many believe that another agreement is crucial for the safe return of the remaining individuals.
Yair Keshet, uncle of hostage Yarden Bibas, voiced the frustration of many protesters, urging the government to halt all operations and negotiate a deal for the hostages’ release. Critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have accused him of delaying the war’s end for political purposes, asserting that timely intervention could have saved the six hostages.
During the Tel Aviv protests, demonstrators carried symbolic coffins draped with the Israeli flag and pictures of the deceased. Some protesters clashed with police, blocking roads and burning tires.
The military has confirmed that the six hostages were “brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists” shortly before their bodies were recovered.
Hamas has disputed this account, claiming that the hostages were killed by Israeli bombings, a charge the Israeli military denies.
Israeli health officials reported that the hostages were executed at close range, contradicting Hamas’s claims.
Amidst the turmoil, US President Joe Biden expressed his devastation over the hostages’ deaths but maintained optimism for a ceasefire agreement.
The Biden administration, along with Qatar and Egypt, continues to mediate in hopes of resolving the crisis.
In Gaza, rescue efforts continue amidst the rubble from Israeli strikes, with at least 11 people killed in an attack on the Safad School, which was reportedly targeting a Hamas command center.
The ongoing conflict has severely damaged Gaza’s infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In the West Bank, Israeli raids have resulted in the deaths of at least 24 Palestinians since Wednesday, with 14 identified as militants.
The UN has urged Israel to cease its attacks on the Jenin refugee camp, reporting severe mistreatment of Palestinians by Israeli forces.
The conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives in Gaza and at least 637 in the West Bank since the war began, with ongoing violence and military actions contributing to the devastating toll on civilians.
