The protests, which grew into a nationwide strike, began at 6:29 a.m.—the exact time Hamas launched its deadly attack on October 7, 2023. By nightfall, over a million people had joined rallies, blocked major roads, and shut down businesses in solidarity with the families of hostages still held in Gaza.

At the central gathering in Tel Aviv, a newly released video of captive Matan Zangauker was shared, intensifying calls for the government to reach a deal. In the clip, filmed months earlier, Zangauker urged his loved ones and fellow citizens to keep raising their voices. His mother, Einav, later addressed the crowd with an emotional plea, criticizing the government for prolonging the war and failing to bring the hostages home.

Family members of the captives announced an “emergency break” movement, declaring that the country must halt everything until the 50 remaining hostages are released. They insisted that only a comprehensive agreement—ending the war in exchange for the hostages—can end what they called a “nightmare” gripping the nation for nearly two years.

While many businesses, universities, and private companies joined the strike, Israel’s largest labor union stopped short of official participation, though it encouraged employers to let workers take part. Police reported several arrests during roadblocks and demonstrations, but the scale of the protest underscored widespread public support for a hostage deal.

Israel’s president expressed solidarity with hostage families, saying the entire country shares their pain. But government officials were divided. Some ministers called the protests a political stunt, while Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that calls to end the war without defeating Hamas would only embolden the group and risk repeating past attacks.

Despite the criticism, the families vowed to continue their campaign. A new protest site called “Waypoint 50,” symbolizing the hostages still in Gaza, is being set up near the border as pressure mounts on the government to act.

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In a strongly worded open letter, they stated that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel. They believe Trump, given his past influence among many Israelis, could sway Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toward halting the war, securing the release of hostages, and ending the humanitarian crisis.

This plea comes at a time when Netanyahu is reportedly planning to escalate military operations in Gaza, despite ongoing ceasefire talks having hit a dead end.

Israel launched its offensive after a deadly attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, more than 60,000 people in Gaza are reported to have died due to the ongoing military campaign, with dozens killed just in the past day alone, according to local health authorities.

The humanitarian toll continues to grow. Dozens have died while trying to access aid, and nearly 200 people—most of them children—are said to have lost their lives due to hunger and malnutrition. Severe restrictions on food and supplies entering Gaza have created conditions some agencies are calling a full-blown famine.

The emotional appeal from former top officials comes shortly after the release of disturbing videos showing visibly malnourished Israeli hostages in Gaza. These images sparked outrage both in Israel and internationally.

Despite this, Netanyahu remains focused on defeating Hamas militarily. Some believe that continuing the war in this way is putting hostages’ lives at greater risk. One group supporting hostage families condemned any new military offensive, warning that it could lead both the country and the captives toward disaster.

Former officials, including past leaders of the Mossad, Shin Bet, and former government ministers, signed the letter. They argue that while the war may have started as a justified defensive response, it has now gone beyond that point. They are urging a shift in strategy toward diplomacy and humanitarian relief.

Their message to Trump was clear: “You helped end a war in Lebanon—now it’s time to do the same in Gaza.”

As international pressure on Israel mounts and public opinion around the world turns more critical, questions remain about whether Trump will act. Despite expressing concern about the situation in Gaza, including acknowledgment of widespread hunger, he has continued to stand by Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, disturbing reports and imagery continue to emerge from Gaza, including the deaths of children, widespread destruction, and rising starvation. The voices calling for a ceasefire are growing louder, both from within Israel and across the globe. Whether those calls will lead to meaningful change remains uncertain.

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South Africa brought the case to the court.

Israel has strongly rejected the allegation, calling it “baseless”.

What is the International Court of Justice?
The ICJ is the United Nations’ top court.

Based in the Hague, in the Netherlands, it was established after World War Two, to settle disputes between states and give advisory opinions on legal matters, which is what it is being asked to do with Israel.

Unlike the International Criminal Court (ICC), the ICJ cannot prosecute individuals for crimes of the utmost severity, such as genocide.

But its opinions carry weight with the UN and other international institutions.

PALESTINE, ISRAEL, ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR, POLITICS, GENOCIDE, SOUTH AFRICA, THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS, ICJ, UN

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