A widespread labor strike began in Israel on Monday, demanding the country’s government accept a deal to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, after massive protests erupted across the country on Sunday night following the deaths of six hostages captured by Hamas.
Hundreds of thousands of Israeli protestors gathered across the country on Sunday night to demand ... [+]
The one-day general strike was called by Israel’s largest labor union Histadrut, with its chair Arnon Bar-David saying a hostage deal was “more important than anything else” and blamed “political considerations” for the lack of a deal so far.
According to Haaretz, hospitals across the country are operating at a limited weekend capacity, and the country’s largest airport is closed for most departures starting at 8:00 a.m. local time—with several other sectors including banking and local transportation also impacted by the strike.
On Sunday night, hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered on the streets in several major Israeli cities to pressure the country’s government to agree to a cease-fire deal to secure the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza.
Thousands gathered in front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem, while protesters in Tel Aviv marched with coffins to highlight the deaths of the hostages.
Netanyahu appeared to face pushback from within his government, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticizing the push to maintain Israeli military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border—which has emerged as a major sticking point in the cease-fire talks.
Netanyahu addressed the hostage deaths on Sunday, saying: “Whoever murders hostages - does not want a deal. Whoever murdered the hostages has blood on their hands. We will pursue you, we will find you and we will settle accounts with you.”
- That is the number of remaining hostages that Hamas continues to hold in captivity in Gaza, according to the Israeli Defense Forces. This number includes around 35 hostages who are believed to be dead.
The IDF recovered the bodies of six hostages from the Gaza Strip on Saturday—including 23-year-old U.S. national Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The bodies of all six hostages were found in a tunnel under Rafah, the IDF said, adding that they were killed shortly before the bodies were found. On Sunday, the Israeli Health Ministry said a forensic examination showed the hostages had been shot at close range. President Joe Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” by Goldberg-Polin’s death adding “It is as tragic as it is reprehensible.” Biden said Hamas’ leader would “pay for these crimes” and his administration will “keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
Six symbolic coffins rest on the stage as Israeli protestors condemn Prime Minister Benjamin ... [+]
The urgency for a cease-fire deal comes after six hostages were killed in Gaza over the weekend.
People block a road as they protest, calling for a deal for the immediate release of hostages held ... [+]
An Israeli police officer removes a demonstrator blocking a road during a protest calling for a deal ... [+]
People light candles during a vigil in memory of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Jerusalem.
U.S. Citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin Among 6 Hostages Found Dead In Gaza (Forbes)