Israeli Air Strike Kills Al Jazeera Journalists in Gaza
Six journalists, including five Al-Jazira journalists, were killed in a targeted airstrike in Gaza after Israel denounced one of Hamas’ ties.
Thousands of Israelis took part in a nationwide strike in support of hostage families in Gaza, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement with Hamas, end the war and release the remaining prisoners of war.
Protesters waving Israeli flags and carried photos of hostages as whistles, horns and drums echoed at rallies across the country on August 17, while some protesters blocked the roads and highways, including the main route between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
“Today, everything stops remembering the highest value: the sacredness of life,” Anat, the mother of the belly of hostage Mathan, told reporters in the public square in Tel Aviv.
It was Israeli Hollywood actress Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman, who met the hostage family in Tel Aviv.
Prior to the demonstration, some businesses and agencies said they would allow staff to participate in a national strike called by hostage families. Some companies have been closed, but many remained open nationwide, as to whether it was open in Israel. School was during summer holidays and was not affected.
A major gathering will be held in Tel Aviv in the evening.
Israeli police said 38 demonstrators blocking the road alongside police had been detained and taken by officers by 2pm.
Demonstrations across the country temporarily stopped around 4pm local time when air sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other places, warning of incoming missiles fired from Yemen. The missile was successfully intercepted.
Military Campaign
On August 17, Netanyahu told the Cabinet:
The prime minister, who leads the most right-wing government in history, said his government has decided to implement a military decision to seize Gaza city, one of the last major regions of the enclave that is yet to be controlled.
The decision is not widely popular among many Israeli and hostage families. There are 50 hostages held by extremists in Gaza, of which 20 Israeli officials believe they are still alive.
“We don’t have time, not for the lives of wasted in hell or for fallen people who could disappear in the ruins of Gaza,” said the Hostage Family Forum, which represents many families of prisoners of war, held in Gaza on Sunday.
After nearly two years of war in Gaza, which was fired in October 2023 by a Hamas-led attack on Israel, most of the hostages so far have emerged as a result of diplomatic talks.
Negotiations for a ceasefire in July, where more hostages may have been seen collapse. Palestinian extremist group Hamas said they would only release the remaining hostages if Israel agreed to end the war, but Netanyahu vowed that Hamas could not maintain power.
The Israeli government has faced sharp criticism both at home and abroad, including some of its closest European allies over the announcement that the military will soon seize Gaza city.
Hamas called out planned criminals, saying it would force hundreds of thousands of people to travel from Gaza city.
More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, local health officials say. They said at least 29 people were killed on Sunday in the past days.
Around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken to Gaza during Hamas’ attacks on Israel. More than 400 Israeli soldiers have since been killed in Gaza.
Opposition leader Oia Rapid, who attended a rally in Tel Aviv, expressed her support for the protesters.
“The only thing that will strengthen the country is the wonderful spirit of those who are out of their homes today for Israeli solidarity,” he wrote in X.
This is a hot air.
