Protests and Strikes in Israel Due to the Gaza War and Hostages Held

Israel witnessed widespread strikes and demonstrations today, Sunday, in various cities, in a rare protest aimed at pressuring the government to end the war in Gaza and release the prisoners held by Hamas.

Protesters blocked major roads in Tel Aviv and other cities such as Haifa, Jerusalem, and Beersheba, carrying Israeli flags and yellow flags symbolizing solidarity with the Israeli prisoners.

Families of the prisoners, who named today "National Day to Stop Daily Life Activities," called for an immediate end to military operations and a reversal of the decision to expand the attack on the city of Gaza, fearing for the lives of the fifty remaining hostages, of whom only 20 are believed to still be alive.

This escalation comes amid the ongoing war, which has entered its 22nd month without achieving tangible results, despite months of indirect negotiations led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to secure the release of prisoners and end the conflict.

At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the security cabinet to decide on controlling the city of Gaza and its residential neighborhoods, and the army began implementing campaign plans despite warnings and risks.

Signs of a negotiated solution are still not entirely ruled out, with ongoing exploratory communications to relaunch the negotiation process, but so far there are no indications of resuming indirect talks.

On the humanitarian side, Egypt announced the resumption of aid truck deliveries to Gaza through the Rafah crossing, in an attempt to alleviate the suffering of the population amid the ongoing military escalation.

This day of protest reflects growing frustration within Israeli society over the continuation of the war and its impacts, and it strongly pressures the government to find an urgent solution to the crisis.