Protesters go on strike in Israel demanding ceasefire and release of Gaza hostages
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Protesters go on strike in Israel demanding ceasefire and release of Gaza hostages
Protestors are demanding the Israel government make a deal to secure the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza. The campaign escalated on Sunday, with demonstrators staging a “day of stoppage” that blocked traffic and closed businesses. Police said they had arrested 32 people as part of the nationwide demonstration – one of the fiercest since the uproar over six hostages found dead in Gaza last September. The action comes weeks after militant groups released videos of hostages and Israel signalled plans for a new Gaza offensive. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages, they threatened to topple Mr Netanyahu’s government. Israel is currently preparing for an invasion of Gaza City and other populated parts of the besieged strip, aimed at destroying Hamas. The military body that coordinates its humanitarian aid to Gaza said that the supply of tents to the territory would resume.
Protestors are demanding the Israel government make a deal to secure the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza.
The campaign escalated on Sunday, with demonstrators staging a “day of stoppage” that blocked traffic and closed businesses.
Protesters gathered at dozens of points throughout Israel, including outside politicians’ homes, military headquarters and on major highways, where they were sprayed with water cannons as they blocked lanes and lit bonfires that cloaked roads in smoke.
Image: Pic: AP
Image: Pic: AP
Police said they had arrested 32 people as part of the nationwide demonstration – one of the fiercest since the uproar over six hostages found dead in Gaza last September.
The action comes weeks after militant groups released videos of hostages and Israel signalled plans for a new Gaza offensive.
Image: Pic: AP
Protesters fear further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to remain in Gaza, only about 20 of whom are thought to be alive.
The demonstrators chanted: “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages.”
Image: Pic: AP
“Military pressure doesn’t bring hostages back – it only kills them,” former hostage Arbel Yehoud said at a demonstration in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.
“The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games.”
Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest, added: “Today, we stop everything to save and bring back the hostages and soldiers.
“Today, we stop everything to remember the supreme value of the sanctity of life.
“Today, we stop everything to join hands – right, left, centre and everything in between.”
Image: Protesters in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Pic: AP
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the immediate release of the hostages but is haunted by the potential for mutiny within his coalition.
Far-right members of his cabinet insist they won’t support any deal that allows Hamas to retain power. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages, they threatened to topple Mr Netanyahu’s government.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich branded the stoppage “a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas’ hands, buries the hostages in the tunnels and attempts to get Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardise its security and future”.
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Israel is currently preparing for an invasion of Gaza City and other populated parts of the besieged strip, aimed at destroying Hamas.
The military body that coordinates its humanitarian aid to Gaza said that the supply of tents to the territory would resume.
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said it would allow the United Nations to resume importing tents and shelter equipment into Gaza ahead of plans to forcibly evacuate people from combat zones “for their protection”.
Meanwhile in Gaza, the health ministry said two children died on Sunday due to malnutrition-related causes – reportedly bringing the total over the last 24 hours to seven.
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Also on Sunday, Israeli airstrikes targeted a power plant in Yemen’s capital of Sanaa.
The action escalates strikes on Iran-backed Houthis, who since the war began have fired missiles at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea.
Israel’s military said the strikes targeted energy infrastructure it claimed was being used by the Houthis, and were launched in response to missiles and drones aimed at Israel.
Thousands of Israelis go on strike to demand ceasefire and hostage releases
‘Our hostages are not pawns, they are our friends,’ says Hamas leader. ‘They are our brothers and sisters, and we are proud of them.’ ‘We will not let them be taken by force, we will not allow them to be taken away,” says the leader of Hamas.
“All these protests accomplished one thing for certain: they strengthened Hamas and set back the release of the hostages,” Amichai Chikli, the diaspora affairs minister, told The Telegraph.
Bezalel Smotrich, the far-Right finance minister, called the protests a “bad and damaging campaign that is playing into Hamas’s hands and is burying the hostages in the tunnels.”
And Miki Zohar, the culture minister, criticised the disruption of daily life in Israel, calling it a “grave mistake and a reward for the enemy who sees the pictures this morning and revels in joy”.
“The rage and protests must be aimed at international pressure against Hamas so that it releases our loved ones, and not at those who are doing everything to bring [the hostages] home,” Mr Zohar added.
‘Our hostages are not pawns’
Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, who backed the nationwide strike, responded to accusations by ministers that Israeli demonstrators were rewarding Hamas, saying: “Have you no shame? No one empowered Hamas more than you.
“We are shutting down the country today. Because our hostages are not pawns that the government is allowed to sacrifice for the sake of the war effort — they are citizens that the government must return to their families.”
Protesters go on strike in Israel demanding ceasefire and hostage releases
Demonstrators in Israel demand a deal to secure the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza. Police made more than two dozen arrests for ‘disruption of order’ Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s capital on Sunday, escalating strikes on Iran-backed Houthis, who since the war began, have fired missiles at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea. Israel began preparing for an invasion of Gaza City and other populated parts of the besieged strip, aimed at destroying Hamas. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages, they threatened to topple Netanyahu‘s government. Israel has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza and displaced most of the population. The United Nations is warning that the highest levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest levels since the conflict began in 2006. The UN has accused Israel of “weaponising aid’ through blockades and rules they say turn humanitarian assistance into political and military goals.
The action, organised by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, marked a fresh push, weeks after militant groups released videos of hostages and Israel signalled plans for a new Gaza offensive.
Protesters fear further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to remain in Gaza, only about 20 of whom are thought to be alive.
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They chanted, “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages”, and demanded a deal.
Police made more than two dozen arrests for “disruption of order”. They said that most of the protests had not been disruptive, but acknowledged several exceptions and said they “will act firmly against anyone who violates the law or endangers public order”.
“Today, we stop everything to save and bring back the hostages and soldiers. Today, we stop everything to remember the supreme value of the sanctity of life,” said Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest.
“Today, we stop everything to join hands — right, left, centre and everything in between.”
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Although Israel’s largest labour union, Histadrut, ultimately did not join Sunday’s action, strikes of this magnitude are relatively rare in Israel. Many businesses and municipalities decided independently to strike.
Still, an end to the genocide does not appear near. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the immediate release of the hostages but is balancing competing pressures, haunted by the potential for mutiny within his coalition.
Far-right members of his cabinet insist they will not support any deal that allows Hamas to retain power. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages, they threatened to topple Netanyahu’s government.
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Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday called the stoppage “a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas’ hands, buries the hostages in the tunnels and attempts to get Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardize its security and future.”
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s capital on Sunday, escalating strikes on Iran-backed Houthis, who since the war began, have fired missiles at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea.
Both the IDF and a Houthi-run television station in Yemen announced the strikes. Al-Masirah Television said they targeted a power plant in the southern district of Sanhan, sparking a fire and knocking it out of service.
Israel’s military said Sunday’s strikes targeted energy infrastructure it claimed was being used by the Houthis, and were launched in response to missiles and drones aimed at Israel.
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While some projectiles have breached its missile defences — notably during its war with Iran in June — Israel has intercepted the vast majority of missiles launched from Yemen.
While demonstrators in Israel demanded a ceasefire, Israel began preparing for an invasion of Gaza City and other populated parts of the besieged strip, aimed at destroying Hamas.
The military body that co-ordinates its humanitarian aid to Gaza said on Sunday that the supply of tents to the territory would resume.
Cogat said it would allow the United Nations to resume importing tents and shelter equipment into Gaza ahead of plans to forcibly evacuate people from combat zones “for their protection”.
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Tents and the majority of assistance have been blocked from entering Gaza since Israel imposed a total blockade in March after a ceasefire collapsed.
Deliveries have since partially resumed, though aid organisations say the flow is far below what is needed. Some have accused Israel of “weaponising aid” through blockades and rules they say turn humanitarian assistance into a tool of its political and military goals.
Israel’s air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza and displaced most of the population. The United Nations is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began.
Protesters stage nationwide strike in Israel demanding Gaza ceasefire and hostage release
Protesters stage nationwide strike in Israel demanding Gaza ceasefire and hostage release. Demonstrations coincided with Israeli airstrikes in Yemen and preparations for a Gaza invasion, as humanitarian conditions worsened. The “day of stoppage” was organised by two groups representing some of the families of hostages and bereaved families. “Military pressure doesn’t bring hostages back – it only kills them,” former hostage Arbel Yehoud said at a demonstration in Tel Aviv’s hostage square. ‘Today, we stop everything to remember the supreme value of the sanctity of life,’ said Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest. Police said they had arrested 32 as part of the nationwide demonstration, one of the fiercest since the uproar over six hostages found dead in Gaza last September. Israeli airstrike hits power plant in Yemen, escalating strikes on Iran-backed Houthis, who, since the war began, have fired missiles at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea.
Protesters across Israel launched a nationwide strike demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu. Demonstrations coincided with Israeli airstrikes in Yemen and preparations for a Gaza invasion, as humanitarian conditions worsened
By PTI Updated On – 17 August 2025, 04:36 PM
Police officers disperse demonstrators blocking a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem. Photo: AP
Jerusalem: Protesters in Israel demanding the government make a deal to secure the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza escalated their campaign on Sunday, staging a nationwide strike that blocked traffic and closed businesses.
The “day of stoppage” was organised by two groups representing some of the families of hostages and bereaved families, weeks after militant groups released videos of hostages and Israel announced plans for a new offensive.
Protesters, who fear further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to remain in Gaza, only about 20 of whom are thought to be alive, chanted: “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages.”
Protesters gathered at dozens of points throughout Israel, including outside politicians’ homes, military headquarters and on major highways, where they were sprayed with water cannons as they blocked lanes and lit bonfires that cloaked roads in smoke. Some restaurants and theatres shuttered in solidarity.
Police said they had arrested 32 as part of the nationwide demonstration — one of the fiercest since the uproar over six hostages found dead in Gaza last September. “Military pressure doesn’t bring hostages back – it only kills them,” former hostage Arbel Yehoud said at a demonstration in Tel Aviv’s hostage square. “The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games.”
Netanyahu’s allies oppose any deal that leaves Hamas in power
“Today, we stop everything to save and bring back the hostages and soldiers. Today, we stop everything to remember the supreme value of the sanctity of life,” said Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest. “Today, we stop everything to join hands — right, left, centre and everything in between.”
Although Israel’s largest labour union, Histadrut, ultimately did not join Sunday’s action, strikes of this magnitude are relatively rare in Israel. Many businesses and municipalities decided independently to strike.
Still, an end to the conflict does not appear near. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the immediate release of the hostages but is balancing competing pressures, haunted by the potential for mutiny within his coalition. Far-right members of his cabinet insist they won’t support any deal that allows Hamas to retain power. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages, they threatened to topple Netanyahu’s government.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday called the stoppage “a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas’ hands, buries the hostages in the tunnels and attempts to get Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardise its security and future.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in a statement, accused protesters of trying to “weaken Israel.” Like Smotrich, he said the strike “strengthens Hamas and delays the return of the hostages”
Israeli airstrike hits power plant in Yemen. Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s capital on Sunday, escalating strikes on Iran-backed Houthis, who, since the war began, have fired missiles at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea.
Both the IDF and a Houthi-run television station in Yemen announced the strikes. Al-Masirah Television said they targeted a power plant in the southern district of Sanhan, sparking a fire and knocking it out of service, the Yemeni station said. Israel’s military said Sunday’s strikes targeted energy infrastructure it claimed was being used by the Houthis, and were launched in response to missiles and drones aimed at Israel.
While some projectiles have breached its missile defences — notably during its 12-day war with Iran in June — Israel has intercepted the vast majority of missiles launched from Yemen.More tents sent to Gaza ahead of new displacement order.
While demonstrators in Israel demanded a ceasefire, Israel began preparing for an invasion of Gaza City and other populated parts of the besieged strip, aimed at destroying Hamas. The military body that coordinates its humanitarian aid to Gaza said Sunday that the supply of tents to the territory would resume.
COGAT said it would allow the United Nations to resume importing tents and shelter equipment into Gaza ahead of plans to forcibly evacuate people from combat zones “for their protection.”
The majority of assistance has been blocked from entering Gaza since Israel imposed a total blockade in March after a ceasefire collapsed when Israel restarted its offensive. Deliveries have since partially resumed, though aid organisations say the flow is far below what is needed.
Some have accused Israel of “weaponising aid” through blockades and rules they say turn humanitarian assistance into a tool of its political and military goals. Israel’s air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza and displaced most of the population. The United Nations is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began.
The Hamas-led attack in 2023 killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed 61,897 people in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry, which does not specify how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children.
On Sunday, two children died of malnutrition-related causes in Gaza, bringing the total over the last 24 hours to seven, according to the ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The UN and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.