Public outrage, which manifested in mass strike actions, was triggered by the discovery of six murdered hostages who had been abducted by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.
Thousands of people took to the streets again on Sunday evening, as labour unions announced their support for the Histadrut strike, a union representing approximately 800,000 workers across the country.
While political figures pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement for the release of the remaining approximately 100 hostages held by Hamas, Netanyahu insists that those who shoot hostages cannot be part of a deal.
Strike on Monday
Histadrut President Arnon Bar-David stated that they are “receiving bags of bodies instead of an agreement” and called for a one-day strike starting at 6:00 a.m. local time on Monday.
He also mentioned that he had promised the hostages’ families to “shut down the economy” through a strike, emphasising the urgency of the situation.
Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv will be closed from 8:00 a.m., kindergartens and schools will operate with reduced staff, and universities will be closed. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai announced that municipal employees in the city are free to join the Monday strike.
The strike is expected to affect transportation and local government operations, particularly in smaller cities like Jerusalem, Dimona, and Ashdod, which will not participate. The strike also has support from major construction sectors and high-tech business owners.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known for his extreme positions, not only condemned the strike but also claimed that it represents “Hamas’s interests.”
Smotrich went beyond statements by calling on the Attorney General to urgently request the courts to block the strike, arguing that it has no legal basis as it aims to unfairly influence significant political decisions related to state security.
He also emphasised that a broader strike, which would shut down the country and halt flights, would have significant economic consequences, causing unnecessary financial damage during wartime.
Protest rallies
A large rally took place in Jerusalem on Sunday evening, where demonstrators, some of them in tears, gathered outside Netanyahu’s office. In Tel Aviv, some protesters shouted “Now,” demanding an urgent agreement for the release of the hostages.
With protest just starting already tens of thousands are on the streets in Tel Aviv. Tens of thousands more are in Haifa, Jerusalem, and towns and cities all across Israel calling for a deal and the government to resign.
— Etan Nechin (@Etanetan23) September 1, 2024
pic.twitter.com/BNqVEBlGAq
Additionally, the hostages’ families are pushing for a nationwide strike as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement between Netanyahu’s government and Hamas.
Another rally is planned for Monday afternoon outside the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
בגין 💔💔💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/F4Z1wlQS56
— קוסטה בלאק – Costa Black 🎗️🍅🌴🥥 (@costa1black) September 1, 2024
Killed in recent days
The six hostages found dead were alive just a few days ago, as the autopsy revealed.
The pathologists stated that the hostages were killed by close-range gunfire “between Thursday and Friday morning.” The Hamas terrorists had shot them multiple times, according to the Health Ministry spokesperson.
She added, “The deaths likely occurred approximately 48 to 72 hours before the autopsy, that is, between Thursday and Friday morning.”
The six bodies were found in a tunnel in Rafah, according to Israeli media reports.
The victims were identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Gerushalmi, Hers Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sharusi, and Ori Danino.
“The delay in reaching an agreement led to the deaths of these and many other hostages,” stated the Hamas Hostage Families Forum.
In a statement, Netanyahu emphasised Israel’s commitment to reaching an agreement for the release of the remaining hostages and ensuring the country’s security. He stressed, “Those who murder hostages do not want an agreement.”
“We will pursue you, catch you, and settle the score,” was Netanyahu’s message to Hamas.
Pressure for an agreement also comes from within Netanyahu’s government. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has called on the prime minister to finalise a ceasefire agreement with Hamas to bring the hostages home from Gaza.
Gallant has repeatedly clashed with Netanyahu and hardline religious nationalist ministers over the need to reach an agreement to end the Gaza war and release the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
(information from protothema.gr)
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