JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli protesters escalated their campaign on Sunday’s nationwide strike as police demanded hostage contracts and arrested dozens of people.
The “Day of Suspension” was organized by two groups representing hostages and part of the family of the survivors a few weeks after the extremist group was released. Hostage video and Israel New attack plans have been announced.
Protesters fearing further fights could put 50 hostages believed to remain in Gaza in danger, with only about 20 of them being thought to be alive. “We will not win a war with the hostage bodies.”
Protesters gathered at dozens of points across Israel, including outside politicians’ homes, military headquarters and major highways, where they packed lanes that covered the roads in smoke and sprayed water cannons when they lit a water fire. Some restaurants and theatres were closed in solidarity.
Police said they arrested 32 as part of a nationwide demonstration. This is one of the most intense since more than six hostages were found dead in Gaza last September.
“Military pressure won’t bring back the hostages — it’s just killing them,” former hostage Abel Yehod said at a demonstration in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. “The only way to get them back is through trading at once without a game.”
Netanyahu’s allies oppose dealings that leave Hamas to power
“Today, we will stop everything, save and take home hostages and soldiers. Today, we will stop everything, remember the highest value of the holiness of life. “Today, we will stop everything and hold hands – right, left, center, and everything in between is everything.”
The demonstrators will cut off the roads during protests calling for the immediate release of Hamas-held hostages and demand that the Israeli government reverse the decision to take over Gaza city, Israel, Sunday and other parts of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, August 17th.
Protesters at the highway intersection organized a stop by handing out yellow ribbons, symbols representing hostages, hostages and missing family forums.
Histador, Israel’s largest trade union, ultimately did not take part in Sunday’s action, but a strike of this magnitude is relatively rare in Israel. Many businesses and local governments have decided to strike independently.
Still, the end of the conflict does not appear nearby. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the immediate release of hostages, but is balancing competing pressures. Possibility of rebellion Within his alliance.
Far-right members of his cabinet argue that they do not support the deal that will allow Hamas to remain in power. When Israel last agreed to a ceasefire in which the hostages were released, They threatened to defeat him. Netanyahu government.
On Sunday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was called “a bad and harmful campaign that reaches Hamas’ hands, bury hostages in the tunnels, surrender to Israel to the enemy, and put their safety and future at risk.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gwil has accused the protesters of “weaking Israel.” Like Smotrich, he said the strike “strengthens Hamas and delays the return of hostages.”
“There are no other options”
Hospitals in Gaza and witnesses reported that at least 17 aiders were killed by Israeli forces on Sunday.
Hamza Asfour said that when Israeli snipers first fired, they were just north of the corridor waiting for it.
He saw two people with gunshot wounds. One is on her chest and the other on her shoulder.
“Take this risk or wait and see my family die of starvation,” he said. “There’s no other option.”
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates distribution points, said on Sunday that the shootout was not “or near it.”
People will join protests calling for an end to the war, the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and on Saturday, August 16, 2025, Tel Aviv Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The Israeli military did not immediately answer questions about strikes in the three regions.
Israeli Air Force and ground wars have already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, evacuating most of the population. The United Nations warns that Levels of hunger and malnutrition It’s the best in Gaza since the war began.
The Hamas-led attack in 2023 killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Israel’s retaliatory attacks killed 61,897 people in Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health.
Two children died on Sunday from malnutrition-related causes, bringing the total to seven over the past 24 hours, according to the ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and independent experts consider it the most reliable source of information about victims. Israel disputes the figures, but does not provide its own.
The aid is far below what you need
Israeli protesters called for a ceasefire, but Israel began preparing for an invasion of Gaza city and some other portion of the besieged strip, which aimed to destroy Hamas.
The military body coordinating humanitarian assistance in Gaza said supply of tents to the territory will resume on Sunday. Cogat said the United Nations will allow the United Nations to reopen to Gaza to import tents and shelters ahead of plans to force people to evacuate from the combat zone “for protection.”
Since Israel imposed a complete lockdown in March, the majority of support has been prevented from entering Gaza The ceasefire has collapsed When Israel resumed its attack. Aid organizations say the flow is far below what is needed, but delivery has been partially resumed. Israel accused “arms aid” through blockades and regulations that transform humanitarian assistance into tools for political and military targets.
Air bombing at Yemen’s power plant
Israeli airstrikes struck Yemen’s capital Sunday, escalating the attack Houtsis backed by Iransince the start of the war, they launched missiles in Israel and targeted ships they targeted in the Red Sea.
Both the Yemeni IDF and the TV station run by Houthi have announced the strike. Al Masilah’s television has targeted a power plant in the southern part of Sanhan, causing a fire and said it was not serving it, Yemen station said. Israeli military said Sunday’s strike was a target energy infrastructure that it claimed was being used by Houthis and was launched in response to missiles and drones targeted at Israel.
Some projectiles violate their missile defenses, particularly in those 12 Days of War In June, along with Iran – Israel thwarted most of the missiles launched from Yemen.
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Meltzer was reported by Maggidi from Naharya, Israel and Cairo.
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