On the eve of a nationwide strike, thousands of Israelis poured into the streets Saturday night, urging the government to strike a deal with Hamas to free hostages and bring the Gaza war to an end.
Israel’s streets filled with fury and desperation on Saturday evening as thousands of protesters rallied for an urgent hostage deal with Hamas and an end to the war in Gaza.
The demonstrations, organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, come ahead of a countrywide strike on Sunday, signaling a dramatic escalation in public pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Crowds carrying banners and chanting outside government buildings and city squares demanded that the leadership prioritize the release of hostages over continued military operations.
“Every day without a deal is a death sentence for our loved ones,” one protester cried out, echoing the growing sentiment across the nation.
The protests underscore the deepening rift in Israeli society: between those pushing for all-out military victory and those insisting that only a negotiated agreement can save the captives still held in Gaza.
With the strike set to paralyze businesses, transportation, and public institutions on Sunday, the government faces a pivotal moment: heed the calls of the families — or brace for a nationwide shutdown.
