JERUSALEM — Protesters in Israel intensified their demands for a hostage deal on Sunday by staging a nationwide strike that disrupted traffic and closed businesses. The strike, termed a “day of stoppage,” was organized by groups representing families of hostages and bereaved families. This action follows the release of videos by militant groups showing hostages and Israel's announcement of a new military offensive.

Demonstrators fear that ongoing fighting could jeopardize the lives of the 50 hostages believed to be in Gaza, with only about 20 thought to be alive. Chants of “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages” echoed through the crowds. Protesters gathered at various locations across Israel, including outside the homes of politicians and military headquarters, blocking major highways. Police responded with water cannons and made at least 32 arrests during the protests, which are among the most intense since the discovery of six hostages found dead in Gaza last September.

“Military pressure doesn’t bring hostages back — it only kills them,” said former hostage Arbel Yehoud at a demonstration in Tel Aviv. “The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games.”

Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest, emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “Today, we stop everything to save and bring back the hostages and soldiers. Today, we stop everything to remember the supreme value of the sanctity of life.” Protesters distributed yellow ribbons, a symbol representing the hostages, as part of their demonstration.

Although Israel’s largest labor union, Histadrut, did not officially join the strike, many businesses and municipalities chose to participate independently. The ongoing conflict shows no signs of resolution. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the immediate release of hostages but faces pressure from far-right coalition members who oppose any deal that would allow Hamas to remain in power.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the strike, calling it “a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas’ hands.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir echoed this sentiment, accusing protesters of attempting to weaken Israel.

In Gaza, hospitals reported that at least 17 aid-seekers were killed by Israeli forces on Sunday, including nine near the Morag corridor. Eyewitness Hamza Asfour described the scene, saying, “It’s either to take this risk or wait and see my family die of starvation. There is no other option.” The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation stated that there was no gunfire at its distribution points, which are located at the end of aid truck routes.

The ongoing air and ground offensive by Israel has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza and has displaced a significant portion of the population. The United Nations has warned that starvation and malnutrition levels in Gaza are at their highest since the conflict began. The Hamas-led attack in October 2023 resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel, while Israeli retaliatory actions have reportedly killed 61,897 people in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry.

As protests continued in Israel, the Israeli military prepared for an invasion of Gaza City and other populated areas, aiming to dismantle Hamas. The military body coordinating humanitarian aid announced that it would resume the supply of tents to Gaza, allowing the United Nations to import shelter equipment ahead of plans to evacuate civilians from combat zones for their safety.

Despite some resumption of aid deliveries, organizations have criticized the flow as insufficient, accusing Israel of using humanitarian assistance as a political tool.

In a separate development, Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen’s capital on Sunday, escalating military actions against Iran-backed Houthis, who have launched missiles at Israel since the onset of the Gaza conflict. The strikes reportedly hit a power plant, causing significant damage. Israel’s military stated that the strikes were in response to missile and drone attacks aimed at Israel.