A rare call for a general strike in Israel to protest the failure to return hostages held in Gaza led to closures and other disruptions around the country.
Demonstrators demanded a cease-fire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the deaths of six hostages in the Palestinian territory, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. the failure to return hostages held in Gaza led to closures and other disruptions around the country on Monday, including at its main international airport. But it was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions .
The head of Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, said it would abide by the court decision and instructed members to return to work. Arnon Bar-David had called for the general strike, the first since the start of the war. It aimed to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking and health care.
But in Jerusalem, resident Avi Lavi said that "I think this is fair, the time has come to stand and to wake up, to do everything for the hostages to come back alive." The demonstrations on Sunday appeared to be the largest since the start of the war, with organizers estimating that up to 500,000 people joined nationwide events and the main rally in Tel Aviv. Israeli media estimated that 200,000 to 400,000 took part.
Israel said the six hostages found dead in Gaza were killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the tunnel where they were held. Three were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July. The Israeli Health Ministry said autopsies had determined the hostages were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday.
Around 400 mourners gathered ahead of Goldberg-Polin's funeral outside the family residence, still draped with posters reading “Bring Hersh Home.” Waving Israeli flags, they marched toward the cemetery.“I’ve buried so many friends this year, but this is the hardest one, because he was alive,” said Amit Levy, who was among hundreds of others at the cemetery.
Hostages Gaza Netanyahu Hamas Political Divisions Demonstrations Israeli Public
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