Thousands of Israelis join 'day of stoppage' protests

Netanyahu claims action ‘will ensure repeat of Oct 7 horrors’

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Israeli protesters demanding a deal to free hostages in Gaza attempted to shut down the country yesterday in one of the largest and fiercest protests in 22 months of war.

Organisers, representing the families of hostages, claimed that hundreds of thousands of people took part.

It follows frustration in Israel over plans for a new military offensive in some of Gaza’s most populated areas. Many Israelis fear that could further endanger the remaining hostages. Twenty of the 50 who remain in Hamas hands are believed to be alive.

“We live between a terrorist organisation that holds our children and a government that refuses to release them for political reasons,” said Yehuda Cohen, whose son, Nimrod, is held in Gaza.

Protesters gathered at dozens of places, including outside politicians’ homes, military headquarters and on major highways. They blocked lanes and lit bonfires. Some restaurants and theatres closed in solidarity.

Yesterday’s “day of stoppage” marked an escalation in the population’s growing frustration after 22 months of war.

Police responding to demonstrations blasted crowds with water cannons and made dozens of arrests. In one instance, officers stopped several protesters from trying to break into the central Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv, leading to a confrontation during which a protester was forcibly arrested, according to CBS News. Police also confiscated the protesters’ equipment. Protesters chanted: “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages.”

Police said they arrested 32 as part of the nationwide demonstration, one of the fiercest since the uproar over six hostages found dead in Gaza last September.