Iraeli/Hamas War: Israelis Begin General Strike

Tens of thousands of Israelis disgruntled with the country's ongoing war with Hamas have taken to the streets in multiple cities.

The strike, meant to force the Israeli government into negotiation for the release of hostages held by Hamas, is one of the biggest nationwide protests since the beginning of the conflict.

The strike is instigated by the country’s powerful labour unions, including the most powerful of them, Histadrut.

Reports indicate that though it is not certain how widely the action will be, indication emerged yesterday that it could be widespread following the disruption of flights at the Ben Gurion Airport.

Another indication that the strike may be widespread cane amidst call by the major of Tel Aviv Mayor, Ron Huldai, for the municipality to join the strike. The mayor, who made the call on Sunday in an X post, noted that the Israeli government "abandoned" the six hostages whose bodies were recovered from an underground tunnel in southern Gaza.

According to him, the call to join the strike is a "sign of solidarity" with the hostages and their families, adding that the people should take to the streets from Monday morning until noon. Haifa is another mayoralty listed to have indicated total support for the strike. This is according to a list made available by Histadrut, which outlined those in support of the action.

The list also includes government ministries and agencies with wide ranging impacts on public services. Among them are the Prime Minister's office and the Interior Ministry.

The teachers’ union has declared its interest in joining the strike just as the country's biggest universities will have indicated their willingness to be part of it. Two of them, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University made their declarations in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem pointed out that the shutdown will be more extensive than previous measures taken since the beginning of the war. According to the statement, the shutdown will include all activities except examinations.

Protesters in Jerusalem are calling for Natanyahu's resignation just as Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant took the government to the cleaners over what he described its prioritization of control of a key border area known as the Philadelphi corridor, which he called a “moral disgrace.”

Ongoing division within the country's cabinet over the conduct is also becoming increasingly visible, an indication of how divided the ruling hierarchy has become.

The general strike reflects growing anger toward Netanyahu and aims to pressure the government into securing a deal that would make way for the return of over 100 hostages, including about 35 believed to be dead, still being held in Gaza.

Organizers of the protest are accusing Natanyahu of stalling efforts to broker a deal by some hostage families and their supporters. Supporters have vowed a national response, and some protesters returned to the streets in Tel Aviv Monday morning, blocking a major avenue.