Large-scale protests broke out around Israel on Sunday in response to the six hostages who died in Gaza. Up to 500,000 people are said to have attended demonstrations in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other cities. The demonstrators' demands were that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take further action to ensure the release of the other 101 hostages. Protesters gathered outside Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem and stopped streets, and major highways in Tel Aviv were clogged with protesters.
The six hostages, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino, were recovered from a tunnel in Rafah, Gaza. Forensic examinations revealed they were murdered by Hamas terrorists at close range. The Israeli military announced their recovery while a polio vaccination campaign began in Gaza and violence continued in the occupied West Bank.
In response to the protests and growing public frustration, Israel's trade union federation called for a general strike on Monday, including the closure of Ben Gurion Airport. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and opposition leader Yair Lapid have both called for an agreement to end the conflict, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sought to prevent the strike. The Hostage Families Forum criticized Netanyahu for delays in securing a ceasefire and called for further action.
President of the United States Joe Biden acknowledged his shock at the deaths and promised to keep working to free the hostages who are still held. A ceasefire agreement has not been reached despite continuous talks facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Before accepting an agreement, Hamas has said that a complete pullout from Gaza, including the closure of certain corridors, is necessary.
Israel and Hamas decided to temporarily suspend hostilities in the middle of the battle to enable a polio vaccination campaign that was intended to reach 640,000 children in Gaza. The first incidence of polio in the region in 25 years was found, prompting the campaign. There have been more casualties from Israeli military operations in Gaza as of late.
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