Tel Aviv, 2 September 2024 (TDI): Israel experienced widespread disruption on Monday as a nationwide strike took effect, aimed at pressuring the government to secure the release of remaining hostages in Gaza.
The strike follows the revelation that the bodies of six hostages, captured alive during Hamas’s attack on October 7, were found and had been “murdered” by gunfire, according to the Israeli health ministry.
The Histadrut trade union initiated the strike, which began at 6:00 am (0300 GMT), demanding the return of the remaining 97 hostages.
Major cities saw the closure of schools and municipal services, while Ben Gurion International Airport halted takeoffs for two hours.
This industrial action followed mass protests on Sunday, where tens of thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv and other cities, demanding a truce deal to facilitate the release of captives.
Histadrut chief Arnon Bar-David criticized the government’s handling of negotiations, urging decisive action to address the hostage crisis.
#Israelis vs #Netanyahu! Thousands rally calling for #hostage deal amid labour union’s #strike call | 🔴 Catch the day’s latest news here ➠ https://t.co/VErMh5je6V 🗞️ pic.twitter.com/nrQEr8WePj
— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) September 2, 2024
The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt’s mediation efforts have yet to yield a resolution.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to discuss further negotiations to secure a deal. Biden expressed optimism about reaching an agreement despite the grim news.
In Gaza, fighting continues with an Israeli strike killing 11 at a school, reportedly a Hamas command center.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 40,738 casualties in Gaza, with many victims being women and children, according to local health authorities.
The UN is also conducting a polio vaccination campaign amid the violence, targeting over 600,000 children in the region.
The October 7 attack, which triggered the ongoing conflict, resulted in 1,205 deaths, predominantly civilians, including hostages who were killed in captivity.
Regional Tensions
The war has significantly heightened regional tensions, with violence surging in the occupied West Bank, separated from Gaza by Israeli territory.
Since Wednesday, simultaneous Israeli raids in the northern West Bank have resulted in the deaths of at least 24 Palestinians, with militant groups identifying 14 of them as members.
On Sunday, a shooting in the southern West Bank claimed the lives of three Israeli police officers. The military reported that the suspected assailant was “eliminated” following a manhunt.
The escalating violence has drawn concern from Middle Eastern and Western governments, as well as UN officials, who are closely monitoring the situation and its implications for regional stability.
