Israelis stage nationwide protests to demand end to Gaza war

Thousands of Israelis took part in a nationwide strike on Sunday, August 17, to support families of hostages held in Gaza and to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement with Hamas that would end the war and release the remaining captives. Protesters blocked roads in Jerusalem and staged demonstrations outside Israel’s military headquarters, while marches and traffic disruptions were organized in several other cities. At a news conference in Tel Aviv, families of the hostages announced that businesses and individuals across the country were joining the strike. Netanyahu addressed the protests at a cabinet meeting, warning that stopping the war now would allow Hamas to "reorganize, rearm, and attack" Israel again, and reaffirmed his government’s determination to seize Gaza City—a move that is widely unpopular among Israelis and many hostages’ families who fear it could endanger the lives of captives. Israeli officials estimate that around 20 hostages are still alive out of the 50 held by Hamas. Hamas condemned Israel’s plan to relocate residents from Gaza City, calling it a new wave of genocide and displacement, and criticized the planned deployment of tents in southern Gaza as a cover for a brutal crime. The Israeli military said it would provide tents and other equipment to ensure the safety of those relocated to the south of the enclave.