Mass Protests Erupt Across Israel
Tens of thousands of Israelis flooded the streets Sunday night, driven by grief and anger, after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza. Chanting “Now! Now!” the protesters called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas, hoping to secure the release of the remaining captives.
This demonstration, one of the largest since the conflict began 11 months ago, signals a possible turning point in public sentiment, though the country remains deeply divided.
Nationwide Strike Adds Pressure
In a significant escalation, Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, announced a general strike for Monday. This strike, the first since Hamas’s October 7 attack that sparked the war, aims to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, healthcare, and the country’s main airport. The union’s decision adds another layer of pressure on the Netanyahu government, already under fire for its handling of the hostage crisis.
Frustration Over Stalled Ceasefire Talks
Ceasefire negotiations have dragged on for months, with many Israelis blaming Netanyahu for the lack of progress. While opinion polls indicate that a majority of Israelis favor a ceasefire, Netanyahu still has considerable support for his hardline approach of pursuing “total victory” over Hamas, even if it means delaying a deal for the hostages.
On Sunday night, thousands gathered outside Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem, many of them in tears. In Tel Aviv, the relatives of hostages marched with symbolic coffins, underscoring the human cost of the ongoing conflict. “We believe the government is making decisions for its own survival, not for the lives of the hostages,” said Shlomit Hacohen, a Tel Aviv resident.
The Tragic Fate of the Hostages
Among the six hostages found dead was 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American who lost part of his left arm during the initial Hamas attack. Three of the six, including Goldberg-Polin, were reportedly scheduled to be released under a ceasefire proposal discussed in July. The fact that they were not only adds to the public’s fury.
The Israeli military reported that all six hostages were killed just before Israeli forces arrived at the scene in southern Gaza. Netanyahu quickly placed the blame on Hamas, stating, “Whoever murders hostages doesn’t want a deal.”
Hamas’s Offer and Ongoing Hostilities
Hamas has proposed releasing the remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants. A senior Hamas official claimed the hostages would still be alive if Israel had accepted a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal in July.
Despite the growing pressure, Netanyahu has vowed to continue the fight until Hamas is completely destroyed. However, top security officials argue that the intense military pressure on Hamas may create favorable conditions for a ceasefire deal, acknowledging that a negotiated agreement might be the safest way to bring home the remaining hostages.
Public Outcry and Political Pressure
The public outrage over the deaths of the six hostages has sparked a new wave of political pressure on Netanyahu. Analysts suggest this moment could mark a significant shift in the conflict’s trajectory. Even within Netanyahu’s government, divisions are emerging, with some officials urging the prime minister to prioritize a ceasefire over military objectives.
While Netanyahu’s government still holds a majority in parliament, the mounting dissatisfaction among the public could force the prime minister to reconsider his approach. The country is now at a critical juncture, with the future course of the conflict—and the fate of the remaining hostages—hanging in the balance.