Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza have called for a nationwide strike to demand a cease-fire deal with Hamas, as the government moves to expand military operations in the enclave.

At a Glance

• Hostage Families Forum urges schools and businesses to close on Sunday
• Prime Minister Netanyahu announces plans to take over Gaza City
• Largest labor union, Histadrut, declines to join strike
• About 20 living hostages and 30 bodies are believed to remain in Gaza
• More than 60,000 killed in Gaza conflict, according to local health officials

Public Call for Action

The Hostage Families Forum, representing relatives of captives taken in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, issued a public appeal for a nationwide work stoppage this Sunday. The group said the move is aimed at pressuring the government into negotiating a cease-fire and securing the release of the remaining hostages.

Watch now: Fury in Israel: Hostage Families Push for General Strike · YouTube

Hamas abducted around 250 people during the initial assault, later freeing over 100 during two short cease-fires. Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of others, but approximately 20 living captives and 30 deceased remain in Gaza. Some families have received recent proof of life, including a video showing one hostage in deteriorating condition.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced the military’s intention to take control of Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering. The Israeli security cabinet approved the move last week. The takeover would require weeks of preparation, including reservist mobilization and civilian evacuation.

Limited Union Backing

The Histadrut, Israel’s largest labor association, said it will not participate in the proposed strike. Its leader, Arnon Bar-David, argued that similar action last year did not alter government policy and that joining again would have “no practical outcome.”

The absence of support from organized labor raises questions about the strike’s potential scale. While the previous strike drew significant participation, it did not shift the government’s approach toward Gaza or the hostage crisis.

Escalation Risks and Cease-Fire Prospects

The planned expansion into Gaza City has heightened fears among hostage families that military action could endanger their relatives’ lives. Advocates argue that diplomacy, not escalation, offers the best chance for recovery of the captives.

Relatives like Anat Angrest, whose son was captured during the Oct. 7 attack, have publicly criticized the government’s strategy. She said that while officials claim to be fighting to free the hostages, their actions risk harming both soldiers and captives in the process.

Military analysts note that the time needed to prepare for a Gaza City operation leaves a window for renewed cease-fire negotiations. International mediators have been involved intermittently since the war began, but progress has been limited amid ongoing combat and political divisions.

Sources

The New York Times
Haaretz
Al Jazeera