Actor Gal Gadot met with relatives of hostages held in Gaza as families stepped up their campaign to secure their release by holding a strike across Israel.

Gadot was seen speaking on Sunday in Tel Aviv with Lishay Miran Lavi, wife of Omri Miran hostage held in Gaza.

The “day of stoppage” was organized by two groups representing some of the families of hostages and bereaved families, weeks after militant groups released videos of hostages and Israel announced plans for a new offensive.

Protesters, who fear further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to remain in Gaza, only about 20 of whom are thought to be alive, chanted: “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages.”

Protesters gathered at dozens of points throughout Israel, including outside politicians’ homes, military headquarters and on major highways, where they were sprayed with water cannons as they blocked lanes and lit bonfires that cloaked roads in smoke.

Some restaurants and theaters were closed in solidarity.

Police said they had arrested 38 as part of the nationwide demonstration — one of the fiercest since the uproar over six hostages found dead in Gaza last September.