In Israel, a rare general strike was called to protest the failure to bring back hostages held in Gaza. The strike resulted in closures and disruptions around the country, including at the main international airport in Israel. The call for a strike was not universally adhered to, showcasing the deep political divisions within the country.
Following the discovery of six hostages found dead in Gaza, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets late Sunday in sorrow and outrage. Many blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not securing a deal with Hamas to bring the hostages back alive. However, there are supporters of Netanyahu’s strategy of maintaining military pressure on Hamas to eventually lead to successful rescues and the weakening of the group.
Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, led the call for a general strike on Monday, aiming to disrupt major sectors of the economy, such as banking, healthcare, and the main airport. Flights at Ben-Gurion International Airport were halted briefly, but disruptions were limited, with some airlines departing early or facing slight delays.
Banks, malls, government offices, and public transit were affected by the strike, while some municipalities in central Israel participated, leading to shortened school hours and closures of daycares and kindergartens. However, other municipalities, including Jerusalem, did not partake in the strike.
The demonstrations on Sunday were some of the largest since the beginning of the war, with organizers estimating up to 500,000 participants nationwide. The protestors are demanding Netanyahu to reach a deal to bring back the remaining hostages, even if it means leaving Hamas intact and withdrawing from the territory.
Netanyahu has vowed “total victory” over Hamas and blamed the group for the failed negotiations. Hamas, on the other hand, blames Israel and the United States for the deaths of the hostages, accusing them of prolonging talks with new demands. The war, which began in October, has resulted in the deaths of many civilians and created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
