Opposition leader in Israel endorses proposal for a strike in solidarity with captives in Gaza
Headline: Israeli Opposition Calls for Solidarity Strike in Support of Gaza Hostages
Israeli opposition chief Yair Lapid has called for a general strike on Sunday in solidarity with hostages still held in Gaza. The move comes as negotiations continue between Israel and Hamas to release hostages captured during the October 7, 2023 attack.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group representing relatives of the hostages, has backed the idea of a strike. In a statement, they urged for a "citizens' strike" on Sunday, expressing their desire to follow the dictates of their conscience. They also stated that the moment has come to act, to take to the streets, and that 675 days of captivity and war must end.
The call for a strike followed a request by around 20 parents of hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza. Last week, Israel's security cabinet approved plans to expand the war into the remaining parts of Gaza not yet controlled by the military, sparking fears that more hostages might die as a result.
The Israeli retaliatory offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 61,499 people, the majority civilians, according to the figures from the Hamas-run health ministry considered reliable by the United Nations. The attack by Hamas in October 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, the majority of whom were civilians.
In early August, Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad released videos showing two hostages in emaciated conditions, fueling concerns about their safety. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has accused the Israeli government of sacrificing the remaining hostages in Gaza "on the altar of an endless, aimless war."
However, Israel's main trade union federation, the Histadrut, has decided against joining the strike, but will support "workers' solidarity demonstrations." Yair Lapid has emphasized that the strike is not party political and has encouraged even supporters of the current government to participate.
As of August 2025, Israel is continuing its military offensive in Gaza City despite ongoing negotiations with Hamas to release hostages captured during the October 7, 2023 attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that negotiations will aim to release all hostages and end the war on terms acceptable to Israel. Of the 251 hostages taken captive by Palestinian militants during Hamas's October 2023 attack on southern Israel, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
The situation remains tense, with both sides urging for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and release of the remaining hostages. The strike called by Yair Lapid and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum is a significant demonstration of public support for the hostages and their families, and a call for an end to the ongoing conflict.
Sunday, the first day of the working week in Israel, will be a day of action and solidarity, as citizens across the country join together to demand an end to the hostage crisis and a return to peace.
Footnote: [1] Information sourced from various news outlets, including Reuters, Al Jazeera, and the Associated Press.
- The Israeli opposition, led by Yair Lapid, is urging for a general strike on Sunday, extending beyond politics to include sectors like health, crime-and-justice, war-and-conflicts, and general-news, in support of hostages still held in Gaza.
- The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group advocating for families of captives, has expressed their desire for a "citizens' strike" and urged for action on Sunday, stating that continued war and captivity must end.
- Amidst ongoing negotiations and a militarized situation in Gaza, the epaper headline highlights the call for solidarity through a strike, underscoring public concerns about the hostage crisis and the need for a swift resolution prioritizing peace.
