The “day of stoppage” was organised by two teams representing a few of the households of hostages and bereaved households, weeks after militant teams launched movies of hostages and Israel introduced plans for a brand new offensive.
Protesters, who worry additional combating may endanger the 50 hostages believed to stay in Gaza, solely about 20 of whom are regarded as alive, chanted: “We don’t win a struggle over the our bodies of hostages.”
Protesters gathered at dozens of factors all through Israel, together with exterior politicians’ houses, navy headquarters and on main highways, the place they have been sprayed with water cannons as they blocked lanes and lit bonfires that cloaked roads in smoke. Some eating places and theatres shuttered in solidarity.
Police stated that they had arrested 32 as a part of the nationwide demonstration — one of many fiercest for the reason that uproar over six hostages discovered useless in Gaza final September.
“Military strain doesn’t convey hostages again – it solely kills them,” former hostage Arbel Yehoud stated at an illustration in Tel Aviv’s hostage sq.. “The solely technique to convey them again is thru a deal, suddenly, with out video games.”
Netanyahu’s allies oppose any deal that leaves Hamas in energy
“Today, we cease every thing to avoid wasting and convey again the hostages and troopers. Today, we cease every thing to recollect the supreme worth of the sanctity of life,” stated Anat Angrest, mom of hostage Matan Angrest. “Today, we cease every thing to affix arms — proper, left, centre and every thing in between.”
Although Israel’s largest labour union, Histadrut, in the end didn’t be a part of Sunday’s (August 17, 2025) motion, strikes of this magnitude are comparatively uncommon in Israel. Many companies and municipalities determined independently to strike.
Still, an finish to the battle doesn’t seem close to. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the instant launch of the hostages however is balancing competing pressures, haunted by the potential for mutiny inside his coalition. Far-right members of his cupboard insist they received’t assist any deal that permits Hamas to retain energy. The final time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that launched hostages, they threatened to topple Netanyahu’s authorities.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday (August 17, 2025) known as the stoppage “a foul and dangerous marketing campaign that performs into Hamas’ arms, buries the hostages within the tunnels and makes an attempt to get Israel to give up to its enemies and jeopardise its safety and future.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in an announcement, accused protesters of making an attempt to “weaken Israel.” Like Mr. Smotrich, he stated the strike “strengthens Hamas and delays the return of the hostages”
Israeli airstrike hits energy plant in Yemen
Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s capital on Sunday (August 17, 2025), escalating strikes on Iran-backed Houthis, who, for the reason that struggle started, have fired missiles at Israel and focused ships within the Red Sea.
Both the IDF and a Houthi-run tv station in Yemen introduced the strikes. Al-Masirah Television stated they focused an influence plant within the southern district of Sanhan, sparking a fireplace and knocking it out of service, the Yemeni station stated. Israel’s navy stated Sunday’s (August 17, 2025) strikes focused vitality infrastructure it claimed was being utilized by the Houthis and have been launched in response to missiles and drones geared toward Israel.
While some projectiles have breached its missile defences — notably throughout its 12-day struggle with Iran in June — Israel has intercepted the overwhelming majority of missiles launched from Yemen.
More tents despatched to Gaza forward of recent displacement order
While demonstrators in Israel demanded a ceasefire, Israel started getting ready for an invasion of Gaza City and different populated elements of the besieged strip, geared toward destroying Hamas.
The navy physique that coordinates its humanitarian support to Gaza stated Sunday (August 17, 2025) that the provision of tents to the territory would resume. COGAT stated it will permit the United Nations to renew importing tents and shelter tools into Gaza forward of plans to forcibly evacuate individuals from fight zones “for his or her safety.”
The majority of help has been blocked from coming into Gaza since Israel imposed a complete blockade in March after a ceasefire collapsed when Israel restarted its offensive. Deliveries have since partially resumed, although support organisations say the stream is way under what is required.
Some have accused Israel of “weaponising support” by means of blockades and guidelines they are saying flip humanitarian help right into a device of its political and navy objectives.
Israel’s air and floor struggle has already killed tens of hundreds of individuals in Gaza and displaced many of the inhabitants. The United Nations is warning that ranges of hunger and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest for the reason that struggle started.
The Hamas-led assault in 2023 killed round 1,200 individuals in Israel. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed 61,897 individuals in Gaza, in response to the Health Ministry, which doesn’t specify what number of have been fighters or civilians however says round half have been girls and kids.
On Sunday (August 17, 2025), two youngsters died of malnutrition-related causes in Gaza, bringing the overall over the past 24 hours to seven, in response to the ministry, which is a part of the Hamas-run authorities and staffed by medical professionals.
The U.N. and unbiased specialists take into account it probably the most dependable supply on casualties. Israel disputes its figures however has not offered its personal.
