Netanyahu’s Gaza plan fuels Israeli hostage families’ anger: Strike called on Sunday to end war

Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza are urging a nationwide strike on Sunday to press the government to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas that would secure their relatives’ release, even as Israel moves to expand its nearly two-year military campaign in the territory.

“Silence enables their sacrifice on the altar of an endless war without purpose or goal,” the Hostage Families Forum, an advocacy group, said in a statement. “This is the time for everyone to join us, across the entire country.”

The appeal came days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to intensify operations in Gaza. Last week, Israel’s security cabinet authorised a proposal to “take over” Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering, New York Times reported.

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It was unclear how much support the strike call would receive. The Histadrut, Israel’s largest labour union, ruled out participation. The union had joined a previous strike last year that failed to change government policy. “Although my heart is bursting with anger, it has no practical outcome,” union leader Arnon Bar-David said Monday.

Hostages still in Gaza

Hamas and allied militants abducted about 250 people during the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war. More than 100 were freed in two short-lived cease-fires, while Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of others. Around 20 hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza, with the bodies of roughly 30 more also still there.

Relatives fear an expanded assault on Gaza City could endanger the captives. Among them is Evyatar David, recently seen emaciated in a Hamas video.

Anat Angrest, whose son Matan was kidnapped while serving as a soldier near the Gaza border, accused the government of endangering him. “They’re fighting to bring him back — but in practice, they’re putting both his life in danger and their own,” she told reporters.

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Human toll in Gaza

Gaza health officials say more than 60,000 people have been killed in the Israeli campaign, including thousands of children, though the figures do not separate civilians from combatants.

Israeli officials have said a takeover of Gaza City would require weeks to mobilise reserves and evacuate civilians, potentially leaving a window for further truce negotiations. Families of hostages say that time should be used to secure their release rather than press ahead with the offensive.