Israelis hold huge protests, strikes in support of hostages in Gaza

Israelis staged strikes and large protests on Sunday to demand the release of hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, nearly two years after their abduction.

Demonstrators blocked roads across Israel, including a major highway in Tel Aviv, waving blue-and-white Israeli flags and yellow flags symbolizing solidarity with the captives.

Protesters called on the government to immediately end the Gaza war, broker a deal to release the hostages, and reverse its recent decision to expand its military operations in Gaza City.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing relatives of those still in captivity, had called for a nationwide strike to coincide with the start of Israel's work week on Sunday.

"We will bring the country to a standstill," Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is among 20 surviving hostages being held by Hamas, said at a rally on Saturday evening.

The powerful Histadrut trade union federation, however, declined to join the strike.

At a demonstration in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, the sister of a Nepalese agricultural student abducted to Gaza during the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, spoke publicly for the first time.

Fighting back tears, she said the family has received no sign of life from him for almost two years.

During the Hamas-led massacres, militants seized some 250 hostages. Of the roughly 50 hostages who remain in Gaza, about 20 are believed to be alive.