AMN / WEB DESK
Massive protests have erupted in Israel since yesterday, with demonstrators urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas to facilitate the return of hostages held in Gaza. The protests followed the announcement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding the recovery of six hostages’ bodies. The strike, organized by Histadrut, Israel’s largest labor union, marks the first such action since the Gaza conflict began in October last year.
Local media reports said that cinemas, theaters, museums, universities, restaurants, cafes, and pubs across the country were closed in solidarity with the strike, and has led to the closure of the country’s main airport.
Israeli media reported that 300,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv and an additional 200,000 took part in protests across the country, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages. In Jerusalem, protesters blocked streets and demonstrated outside the prime minister’s residence.
Video footage showed Tel Aviv’s main highway filled with protesters holding flags with pictures of the slain hostages. Israeli television footage showed police directing water canons at demonstrators who had blocked roads. Local media reported 29 arrests. The country’s labour leaders called a one-day general strike on Monday.
The Israeli military on Sunday announced the recovery of the bodies from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The bodies of hostages Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino were returned to Israel, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters.
A forensic examination determined they were “murdered by Hamas terrorists in several shots at close range” 48-72 hours previously, an Israeli health ministry spokesperson said. Netanyahu, who faces growing calls to end nearly 11 months of war with a deal for a ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages, said Israel would not rest until it caught those responsible.