Israelis Strike, Protest to Demand Deal on Gaza Hostages | Regional / World

JERUSALEM (Reuters) — Israeli protesters took to the streets for a second straight day on Monday, with the largest labor union calling a general strike to pressure the government to reach a deal to free hostages still held by Hamas, after six more were found dead in the Gaza Strip.

The strike has paralyzed transportation and medical services in several Israeli neighborhoods. Many shops and businesses have closed after the leader of the Histadrut union, which represents hundreds of thousands of workers, called for a general stoppage.

The recovery of the six hostages, shot 48-72 hours before they were found by Israeli forces, has unleashed a wave of grief and anger in Israel, according to the Health Ministry, prompting at least half a million people to take to the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Sunday.

The demonstrators are demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian militant organization Hamas so that the remaining hostages can be released.

Thousands of people gathered again in Tel Aviv on Monday, waving blue-and-white Israeli flags or holding up photos of the 101 remaining hostages.

Professor Yehuda Ullmann, head of surgery at Rambam Hospital in Haifa, said the strike was contrary to the spirit of doctors focused on saving patients.

“But now we are in a very, very difficult situation, we and the whole country, because of the hostages. And yesterday was probably the most difficult day,” he said. “We cannot stand by and that is why we went on strike.”

Following the intervention of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the Israel Labor Court ruled that the general strike must end at 14:30 (11:30 GMT), stating that the strike had no economic basis and was largely political. The Histadrut accepted the ruling.

“We live in a country of law and we respect the court’s decision, so I order everyone to return to work at 2:30 p.m.,” said Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David, a day after describing the strike as a “cry for the return of the hostages.”

Deep divisions

Some services at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main air transport hub, were suspended in the morning, although incoming flights continued to land, and bus and train services in many areas were canceled or operated only partially.

Workers in Haifa, Israel’s main trading port, and in some municipalities also went on strike.

Hospitals were only partially operational and banks were closed, but many private-sector businesses were open. The strike was supported by several employer groups, including manufacturers and the high-tech sector, and many employers allowed workers to join the strike, so many services were disrupted.

The strike and street demonstrations follow months of protests by families representing some of the hostages and underscore the deep divisions that have emerged in Israel over the way Netanyahu is pursuing a ceasefire.

Despite pressure from his own defense minister, as well as senior generals and intelligence officials, Netanyahu has insisted on keeping Israeli troops in key locations in the Gaza Strip after the ceasefire ends.

Hamas has rejected any Israeli presence. Despite efforts by Egyptian and Qatari diplomats and repeated visits to the region by senior US officials calling for a deal, there is no sign of a breakthrough in talks aimed at ending the fighting and bringing the hostages home.

Hamas militants seized 253 hostages in an October 7 attack on Israeli communities. The attack killed 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, and Israel launched a merciless assault that led to the destruction of Gaza and the deaths of more than 40,600 Palestinians.