Protesters blocked major highways across Israel on Sunday as a nationwide strike began, demanding the government secure the release of hostages held in Gaza and protesting plans to expand the war.
The strike, launched at 6:29 a.m., was organized by bereaved families and relatives of captives. Demonstrators shut down Route 1, the main highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, in both directions, lighting bonfires on the road. Other blockages included Route 4 at the Ra’anana Junction, disrupting traffic during the morning commute.
The protests included gatherings outside the homes of government officials, including the residences of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Education Minister Yoav Kisch, Economy Minister Nir Barkat and Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel.
Organizers said the goal was to pressure the government, which has approved a campaign to capture Gaza City, to pursue instead an agreement with Hamas to free the 50 remaining hostages. At least 20 of them are believed to be alive.
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The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said nearly a million people were expected to pass through Hostages Square in Tel Aviv throughout the day, with tens of thousands more participating at hundreds of sites across the country. Yellow ribbons were handed out at intersections, while a photography exhibition was set to open at 9 a.m. in Tel Aviv. Relatives of hostages were scheduled to deliver speeches on the main stage at Hostages Square every two hours until late afternoon, with a mass rally outside the Kirya military headquarters planned for 8 p.m.
Families of hostages and other Oct. 7 victims called upon the Israeli public “to act today to save lives.”
“I’m here this morning to ask every Israeli citizen to act today to save lives,” said Reut Recht-Edri, whose son was killed at the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, in a speech. “To stop everything, to leave home and to fight for the return of all the hostages, for saving the soldiers, for our state of Israel.”
Other relatives vowed the struggle would intensify. “Today is just the beginning,” said Lishay Miran Lavi, whose husband is held in Gaza. “We intend to escalate the struggle. We have no other choice.”
Relatives of hostages announced they would set up an encampment outside Gaza on Monday morning and would call it “Waypoint 50,” referring to 50 captives held in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive.