Hostage deaths trigger nationwide protests across Israel

Massive protests erupted across Israel on Sunday following the deaths of six hostages in Gaza, as public frustration grew over the government's inability to secure a ceasefire deal that could ensure the release of more Israeli captives.

Approximately 500,000 demonstrators, according to Israeli media estimates, gathered in cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. They urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intensify efforts to bring home the remaining 101 hostages, of whom a third are believed to have died, based on Israeli officials' assessments.

In Jerusalem, protesters blocked streets and gathered outside Netanyahu's residence, while in Tel Aviv, aerial footage captured the city’s main highway packed with demonstrators holding flags bearing images of the slain hostages. Israeli television broadcast images of police using water cannons against protestors who obstructed roads, and local media reported 29 arrests.

Labour leaders declared a one-day general strike for Monday to amplify the public's demand for a resolution. Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed it had recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. These hostages were identified as Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a military spokesperson, informed reporters of the grim discovery.

According to an Israeli health ministry representative, forensic examinations indicated the hostages had been executed by Hamas with multiple gunshot wounds inflicted at close range, 48 to 72 hours prior.

Netanyahu, under growing pressure to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining hostages, stated that Israel would continue its efforts to bring those responsible to justice. "Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal," Netanyahu asserted.

In response, senior Hamas officials claimed that Israel’s refusal to engage in ceasefire talks was the reason for the deaths. Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas representative, told Reuters, “Netanyahu is responsible for the killing of Israeli prisoners. The Israelis should choose between Netanyahu and the deal.”

Israel launched its military offensive on Gaza after Hamas and other fighters killed around 1,200 people and captured approximately 250 hostages during attacks on Israel on October 7, according to official Israeli figures. Since then, Israel’s offensive has devastated large parts of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people. The Gaza health ministry reports that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with displaced residents enduring poor living conditions and food shortages.