A rare call for a general strike in Israel was made in response to the failure to return hostages held in Gaza, leading to closures and disruptions around the country. The families blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the deaths of six hostages found in Gaza, while others supported Netanyahu’s strategy of maintaining military pressure on Hamas. The strike aimed to shut down major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care, and the main international airport Ben-Gurion.
Much of the public joined in grief and anger at the discovery of the hostages’ deaths in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands of Israelis pouring into the streets in protest. While some support Netanyahu’s approach of relentless military pressure on Hamas, others demand a deal to return the remaining hostages, even if it means leaving Hamas intact in Gaza. The largest trade union in Israel, the Histadrut, called for the general strike, the first since the start of the war, to demand action from the government.
The strike resulted in closures of banks, malls, and government offices, as well as limited public transit services in some areas. Municipalities in Israel’s populated central area, including Tel Aviv, participated in the strike, affecting school and daycare hours. However, not all municipalities took part, with Jerusalem among those that did not participate. The state appealed to a labor court to cancel the strike, claiming it was politically motivated.
Israel reported that Hamas killed all six hostages shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the tunnel where they were being held. Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the failure of negotiations, while Hamas accused Israel and the United States of dragging out talks by issuing new demands. The hostage situation has been ongoing for much of this year, with both sides unable to reach a resolution.
The war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and displacement of the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. The conflict has led to a humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged territory as the violence continues. The situation remains tense as both sides struggle to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict and the return of hostages held in Gaza remains a key issue for many in Israel.
President Joe Biden expressed devastation and outrage over the deaths of the hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents had campaigned for his release. The situation remains complex as both sides blame each other for the failure to find a resolution to the conflict. The ongoing war has had devastating effects on both Israeli and Palestinian populations and continues to be a source of tension and unrest in the region.
