Nationwide Strike Demands Hostage Return, Opposition Leader Lapid Criticizes Government Stance

Tens of thousands of Israelis participated in a nationwide strike on Sunday, August 17, 2025, demanding an immediate deal to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza and an end to the ongoing conflict. The widespread protests, which saw businesses, schools, and public transport shut down across major cities, were strongly backed by opposition figures. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid articulated the movement's core message, stating, > “We are shutting down the country today because our hostages are not pawns that the government is allowed to sacrifice for the sake of the war effort — they are citizens that the government must return to their families.”

The general strike was initiated by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and other advocacy groups, who expressed growing fears that the government's recent decision to expand military operations into remaining parts of Gaza would further endanger the lives of the approximately 50 captives still held. Many protesters chanted, “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages,” reflecting a deep concern that military pressure alone would not bring their loved ones home. The movement highlighted the 681 days some hostages have endured in captivity.

The protests garnered broad support from various sectors of Israeli society, including major unions, university presidents, and even prominent celebrities. Demonstrators blocked key highways and intersections, including the main route between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with some setting tires ablaze. Police responded by making dozens of arrests and using water cannons to disperse crowds in several locations.

Government officials, however, condemned the strike, arguing it undermined national unity and played into the hands of Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that ending the war without defeating Hamas would only harden the militant group's position and risk a repeat of the October 7, 2023, attack. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the protests as a "perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas," while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused organizers of a "cynical political maneuver."

The plight of the remaining hostages continues to be a central focus, with reports indicating that some recently released captives returned in severely emaciated and frail conditions, suffering from physical and mental deterioration. Families and supporters insist that a comprehensive deal is the only viable path to bring all hostages home safely. Former captives, such as Arbel Yehoud, have publicly stated that "the only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games."