Some protesters wore masks of Benjamin Netanyahu to express their disapproval of the prime minister. Reuters
Israel is gearing up for a general strike as protests continue over the government’s handling of the hostage crisis involving Hamas. The tension escalated after the recent discovery of the bodies of six hostages, which has led to widespread outrage across the nation.
On Saturday, Israeli soldiers found the remains of the six hostages in an underground tunnel in the Rafah area of southern Gaza. The hostages were identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt Ori Danino. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), these individuals had been killed just before the troops reached the site.
The tragic discovery fueled a surge of anger and frustration among Israelis. On Sunday, tens of thousands took to the streets in various cities, expressing their discontent with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. The protesters accuse Netanyahu’s administration of failing to secure the release of the remaining hostages taken during the October 7 attack by Hamas. The demonstrations were marked by slogans such as “Alive, alive, we want them alive,” and signs like “You are the head. You are to blame.”
In response to the government's perceived inaction, Israel's largest labour union, Histadrut, has called for a nationwide one-day strike on Monday. Arnon Bar-David, the head of Histadrut, criticized the government’s handling of the situation, saying, “We are getting body bags instead of a deal.” The union's call for a strike reflects the growing frustration and demands for a more effective resolution.
The Israeli government has reacted strongly to the strike call. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has accused the union of aiding Hamas by disrupting the country's functions. Despite this, several cities and municipalities have announced they will not participate in the strike, leaving some uncertainty about how widespread the stoppage will be.
The protests have overshadowed other important events, including humanitarian efforts in Gaza. On Sunday, the UN reported that the first day of a campaign to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio was successful. This vaccination drive relies on temporary pauses in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters, with the first three-day ceasefire window beginning on Sunday.
The number of hostages still held in Gaza remains unclear. Following the October 7 attack, which resulted in the kidnapping of 251 people and the deaths of 1,200 others, Israel launched a major military offensive in Gaza. This offensive has led to significant casualties, with more than 40,738 people reported killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
