On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets nationwide, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Approximately 700,000 people participated in protests on major roads and at key junctions across the country, with 550,000 gathering for a central rally in Tel Aviv, according to Israel’s Ynet news site.

The demonstrations began after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported recovering the bodies of six hostages. In Tel Aviv, protesters gathered outside the Kirya military base, waving Israeli flags and chanting “A deal — Now!” Many carried signs featuring the hostages. There are still 101 hostages in Gaza, with about half believed to be dead due to Hamas attacks or Israeli bombings.

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, told the crowd that a deal proposal exists but claimed Netanyahu is refusing to accept it to maintain support from his coalition of pro-settler leaders.

Later, thousands of protesters in Tel Aviv set fire to the Ayalon Highway, temporarily blocking the major freeway. Police reported at least 12 arrests nationwide and had to disperse the crowd.

By evening, businesses including cinemas, theatres, museums, universities, restaurants, and cafes closed in solidarity with the protests. A general strike, announced by Arnon Bar-David, secretary-general of the Histadrut (Israel’s largest workers’ organization), is planned for Monday. Bar-David accused Netanyahu of obstructing the deal for political reasons.

The protests followed the recovery of the bodies of two women and four men from Gaza. The IDF reported they were killed in a Hamas tunnel shortly before Israeli soldiers arrived. The six hostages had been captured on October 7, 2023, during a surprise Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of around 250 others.