Tens of Thousands of Israelis Protest, Call for Hostage Release Deal

SEAToday.com, Tel Aviv - Tens of thousands of Israelis protested on the street over the government’s failure to bring back hostages in Gaza, Sunday (9/1) evening. The massive protest also called for a general strike that led to disruptions and closures, including at its main international airport, Ben-Gurion, Monday (9/2).

The rage came after six hostages were found dead in Gaza. The families and much of the public blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying they could have been returned alive in a deal with Hamas to end the crisis.

Israeli major labor union Histadrut called for a general strike on Monday to push for a hostage release deal. The strike aimed to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care, and the main airport.

The demonstrations appeared to be the largest since the start of the war, with organizers estimating that up to 500,000 people joined nationwide events and the main rally held in Tel Aviv.

They are demanding that Netanyahu reach a deal to return the remaining roughly 100 hostages held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, even if it means leaving a battered Hamas intact and withdrawing from the territory. Many Israelis support this position, but others prioritize the destruction of the militant group over freedom for the hostages.

Israel claimed Hamas killed all six hostages shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the tunnel where they were being held. Three of them, including an Israeli-American, were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July. The Israeli Health Ministry said autopsies had determined the hostages were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday.