Thousands of Israelis participated in a nationwide “day of stoppage” on Sunday, marking one of the most widespread domestic protests since the war’s onset, demanding a hostage deal and an end to the Gaza war while pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to alter his hardline posture. Protesters, led by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, called for the return of remaining captives and a ceasefire as military operations intensify and public frustration mounts.
Beginning early in the day with roadblocks and strikes, demonstrators targeted major arteries including the highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Schools and public transport shut down in solidarity, while businesses across the nation, particularly in Tel Aviv, closed their doors. Protesters unfurled a massive Israeli flag emblazoned with portraits of captives in Hostages Square, a symbolic focal point of decades-long rallies for their release.
Scenes of defiance included burning tires, intercepted roads, and the distribution of yellow ribbons, now an emblem of hope and remembrance by families and supporters. Tearful pleas broke through the wartime silence: “Bring back the 50 hostages, end the war,” read one banner, echoing both urgency and desperation.
Police responded with water cannons and mounted units, resulting in the detention of dozens, 38 arrests were confirmed by midday. Authorities justified the forceful reaction, framing the protests as a risk to public order.
Political reactions were sharply divided. Netanyahu denounced the demonstrations as dangerous appeasement, asserting that calls for a ceasefire only serve Hamas’s interests and endanger further hostage releases. Meanwhile, some opposition leaders sided with the protesters, accusing the government of mishandling the crisis and ignoring the human tragedy unfolding.
These domestic tensions are unfolding alongside ongoing military escalation. Israel’s General Staff has approved plans to expand its offensive into Gaza City, signaling the possibility of a prolonged conflict.
Internationally, concerns over the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensified. While aid agencies warn of widespread famine and civilian suffering, protesters argue that continued bombardment risks the loss of innocent lives and perhaps the hostages themselves.
