Israel Erupts in Unrest as Thousands Demand Ceasefire and Hostage Deal Amid Growing Tensions
Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday night, sparking widespread protests and a general strike across the country. The protests erupted following the discovery of the bodies of six hostages, which were found deep underground in Gaza, fueling public outrage over the government’s handling of the ongoing war with Hamas.
Mass Protests in Tel Aviv and Beyond
An estimated 100,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv, with others protesting in Jerusalem and smaller cities like Haifa, Beer Sheva, and Rehovot. The demonstrations marked one of the largest in recent months as pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal intensified. Protesters in Tel Aviv carried six symbolic coffins in memory of the hostages and blocked the city’s main highway, while in Jerusalem, police used water cannons to disperse crowds at the city’s entrance.
Hostage Tragedy Fuels Public Outrage
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the bodies of six hostages—Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino—were found in tunnels “dozens of meters” underground in Rafah, southern Gaza. Forensic examinations revealed that the hostages had been executed by Hamas terrorists 48 to 72 hours before their discovery, further fueling public anger.
Despite Netanyahu’s insistence that Hamas’s refusal to accept a US-backed hostages-for-peace deal was to blame, many Israelis, including the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, directed their frustration toward the government. The Forum, at the forefront of the protest movement, accused the government of delaying and sabotaging negotiations for political gain.
General Strike to Paralyze Israel’s Economy
In response to the growing unrest, the Histadrut trade union federation called for a general strike starting Monday morning, the first since March of the previous year. The strike is expected to halt large parts of Israel’s economy, with government and municipal offices, schools, private businesses, and even Ben Gurion International Airport set to close.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced that it would join other Israeli universities in the nationwide strike to demand a hostage deal. The university, which lost one of its students, Carmel Gat, in the hostage tragedy, will shut down all activities on Monday except for exams.
Calls for Government Accountability
Protesters and family members of the hostages have accused Netanyahu of prioritizing strategic territory in Gaza over the lives of the hostages. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the only government member to oppose Netanyahu’s stance on the Philadelphi corridor, called for a reversal of the government’s position. Gallant emphasized the urgency of bringing the remaining hostages home, stating, “It is too late for the hostages who were murdered in cold blood. We must bring back the hostages that Hamas is still holding.”
As the situation escalates, the Israeli government faces mounting pressure from both the public and political leaders to take decisive action. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, alongside the Histadrut Union, has vowed to continue their protests until a ceasefire deal is reached and the hostages are returned safely. The coming days are likely to test the resilience of both the Israeli government and its citizens as they grapple with the consequences of a prolonged and profoundly divisive conflict.