“If we don’t bring them back now, we’ll lose them forever.” Recent, devastating propaganda images released by Hamas, showing hostages reduced to skeletons, have intensified the anguish of families. They called for nationwide mobilization in Israel, drawing a response even from citizens critical of the government’s war strategy.
Hundreds of thousands participated in a general strike, flooding streets across multiple cities. They protested a new Gaza occupation plan, fearing it would endanger the safety of the approximately twenty hostages believed still alive. “This plays into Hamas’s hands,” retorted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, flanked by cabinet hawks, on a tense day also marked by clashes and dozens of arrests. The Hostage Families Forum had urged Israelis: “Shut down the country with a clear demand: bring back all 50 hostages (including the bodies of the deceased) and end the war,” ahead of Sunday’s protests, the first day of the work week. The strike and marches proceeded as planned.
In Tel Aviv, a massive Israeli flag bearing the portraits of the captives was waved in what is now called ‘Hostages Square’ – the epicenter of recurring anti-government protests – packed with over 200,000 people. Demonstrations also blocked major highways in other cities, including the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem artery. Protesters gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence, chanting “bring everyone back” and “stop the war.” Hundreds of discharged reservists joined the rallies. Clashes erupted, however, with heavily deployed security forces. Police reported around forty arrests for “disturbing public order.”
Far-right cabinet minister Bezalel Smotrich was first to condemn the strike, branding it “a damaging campaign that serves Hamas, buries the hostages in tunnels, and seeks to surrender Israel to its enemies.” Netanyahu echoed this, stating: “Those demanding an end to the war are hardening Hamas’s stance, delaying our hostages’ release, ensuring the horrors of October 7th will repeat, and forcing us into an endless war.”
Hostage families swiftly countered: “Instead of deceiving the public, spreading rumors, and slandering us, bring our loved ones back through a deal and end the war. This is the only decision the Israeli people demand, and the only possible decision.” Their concern focuses on occupation plans recently approved by the security cabinet. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated operations would concentrate on Gaza City, “one of the Palestinian Islamic movement’s last strongholds,” as troops prepared for a mass evacuation of residents southward, setting up tents and equipment. Hamas dismissed these purported humanitarian measures as a “pretext” to “cover up a brutal crime the occupation forces are preparing to commit.”
Ahead of the expected ground offensive, airstrikes continued on Gaza’s main urban center. Al Jazeera reported a pre-dawn strike hit Al Ahli hospital, causing multiple casualties. The IDF stated it targeted a militant cell outside the building.