Overview

• The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called a ‘day of stoppage’ on August 17, organizing strikes and rallies in over 200 locations across Israel.
• Protesters blocked major roads—including the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem highway—set bonfires and were met with police force, resulting in at least 38 detentions.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed he will accept only an ‘all-in-one’ hostage deal that mandates Hamas disarmament, Gaza demilitarization and Israeli security control.
• The IDF allowed limited humanitarian aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing while signaling plans to launch a full-scale operation to seize Gaza City.
• Roughly 50 Israelis remain held in Gaza, with officials estimating about 20 are still alive, as UN experts issue famine warnings and cite growing civilian suffering.