Overview

• Organizers reported up to 500,000 participants in a national strike and protests spanning more than 300 cities, with highways blocked and many businesses and universities closed.
• The Hostages and Missing Families Forum and relatives led the demonstrations, pressing for a deal to bring captives home through a negotiated pause.
• The government recently approved sending ground troops into Gaza City, drawing international warnings about worsening civilian harm and fueling domestic concern for hostages and soldiers.
• Hostage advocates, including Einav Zangauker, said a Gaza City assault could be a death sentence for those still alive in captivity.
• Netanyahu rejected calls to halt the war, arguing that stopping without defeating Hamas would embolden the group and delay releases, while analysts said the protests may sway some in Likud even if hard-line ministers remain unmoved.