Overview

• Families of Israeli hostages and affiliated groups have organized a general strike and about 200 local demonstrations for Sunday to demand a ceasefire and the return of remaining captives.
• Leading universities including Hebrew University, Technion and the Open University have backed the action while the Histadrut declined to participate, citing doubts about its effectiveness.
• The mobilization follows the cabinet’s recent approval of a Gaza City offensive, a strategy the IDF warned could jeopardize hostages and soldiers.
• Organizers project a large turnout, claiming up to one million people may pass through Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv and 200 buses will bring supporters, though these figures are unverified.
• Israeli officials report roughly 50 hostages still held in Gaza, with about 20 believed alive, underpinning the families’ urgent call for government action.