Hundreds of Israeli protesters blocked major roads between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Sunday, launching a nationwide strike to demand an end to the Israel-Gaza war in Gaza and the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by the militant group Hamas.

The protests, which disrupted traffic and public order, led to dozens of arrests and the use of water cannons by police in Jerusalem. The demonstrations mark growing the public's growing frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza policy, especially following the government's recent approval decision to seize control of Gaza City.
Protesters accuse the government of failing to act decisively take decisive action to bring back the remaining 50 hostages, of whom 27 are confirmed dead, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Netanyahu condemned the protests, stating that calls to end the war without defeating Hamas would "harden Hamas' position" and risk repeating the October 7 Hamas attacks. However, demonstrators argue that continued military operations have cost the lives of Israeli soldiers, Palestinian civilians, and hostages alike.