Israel Erupts in Protest After Deaths of 6 More Hostages

Israel has been rocked by mass protests and a nationwide strike after the bodies of six hostages held in Gaza since October 7 were found dead, fueling public outrage and demands for a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The strike, which threatened to bring the nation's economy to a standstill, was called in response to the government's failure to secure the release of the hostages, who were taken during Hamas' October 7 terror attacks. Despite the government's bid to end the strike, protesters blocked roads and marched on government buildings, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of abandoning the hostages and failing to negotiate a deal to release the remaining captives.

The deaths of the six hostages, identified as Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino, have sparked widespread anger and grief, with many questioning the government's handling of the crisis. The funerals of the victims were held on Monday, with crowds gathering to pay their respects and demand action from the government.

Netanyahu and US officials have blamed Hamas for the failure to reach a deal, but protesters argue that the government has not done enough to secure the release of the hostages. The Biden administration has also accused Hamas of holding up a deal, but recently suggested that conditions introduced by Netanyahu have disrupted efforts.

The nationwide strike was called by Israel's trade union umbrella organization Histadrut, with many Israelis expressing their frustration and anger at the government's handling of the crisis. The strike disrupted flights, hospitals, and banks, and was seen as an escalation of the monthslong campaign to pressure Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

As the protests continue, there are fears that the remaining hostages held in Gaza may face a similar fate if a deal is not reached soon. Around 100 hostages remain held in Gaza, with around a third believed to be dead. The fate of the hostages has become a major point of contention in the conflict, with many Israelis demanding that the government do more to secure their release.