Families of hostages held in Gaza have called for a nationwide general strike starting Sunday night, aiming to pressure the Israeli government into securing the release of captives still held by Hamas. The call for action follows the discovery of six hostages’ bodies in a tunnel in Rafah, Gaza, by the Israeli military, which has ignited widespread anger and frustration among their families.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a campaign group advocating for the captives’ release, urged the public to join a massive demonstration, demanding a “complete halt of the country and the immediate implementation of a deal to release the hostages.” The group has called on Israelis to gather for a protest in Tel Aviv later on Sunday and appealed to the influential Histadrut union to support the strike.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed the call for a “general strike,” criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for its handling of the hostage crisis. “They were alive, but Netanyahu and his cabinet of death decided not to save them,” Lapid wrote on Facebook. “There are still hostages alive. We can still make a deal.”
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also urged the government to reconsider its decision to keep Israeli forces along the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic area on the border with Egypt, which has become a significant obstacle in negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza. “The cabinet must gather immediately and reverse the decision made on Thursday,” Gallant stated. “We must bring back the hostages that are still being held by Hamas.”
In solidarity with the hostages’ families, several businesses, including the Lev cinema chain and various restaurants, have announced closures on Sunday evening.
The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, has seen the capture of 251 hostages, with 97 still held in Gaza, according to the Israeli military, which also reports that 33 hostages are dead. The Hamas assault resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to official figures.
In response, Israel has launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 40,738 people, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The UN human rights office has indicated that the majority of those killed are women and children.
