Israel Families Call Strike Over Gaza Hostage Crisis
Families of October 7 Victims Call Nationwide Strike to Demand Hostage Release
TEL AVIV – Families of victims and hostages from Hamas’s October 7 attack have announced a nationwide strike for Sunday, urging Israelis to halt daily life in a bid to pressure the government over its military strategy in Gaza.
The protest, organized by the October 7th Families Forum, has won backing from leading opposition figures. Organizers fear the government’s planned large-scale operation in Gaza City could risk the lives of remaining hostages and cause further casualties among Israeli soldiers.
The call comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet approved the operation on Friday, drawing criticism at home and abroad. Speaking outside the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, protest leaders appealed to businesses, labor unions, and citizens to join the strike and “bring the economy to a standstill.”
“Our goal is simple,” they declared. “Save the hostages, protect our soldiers, and prevent more families from joining the circle of grief. Silence kills. On Sunday, we say: enough. Stop the war. Bring them home.”
Netanyahu Clarifies Gaza Plan
In a press conference on Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel does not intend to occupy Gaza, but instead aims to establish a civilian administration unaffiliated with either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas Rejects PM’s Statement
Hamas quickly dismissed Netanyahu’s comments, accusing him of spreading “a series of lies.” Taher al-Nunu, adviser to the group’s political chief, told AFP the prime minister was “distorting and hiding the truth” to mislead the public.
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