General Strike Called in Israel Over Hostages

In response to the recent recovery of six hostages' bodies from Gaza, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has called for a general strike to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for the release of remaining hostages. The Histadrut, Israel's powerful labor union, announced it will initiate the strike, which is expected to significantly disrupt the economy. This unprecedented action follows public outrage over the deaths, which the Hostages Families Forum attributed to Netanyahu's failure to secure a cessation of hostilities and a hostage deal. Lapid criticized Netanyahu for prioritizing political alliances over the lives of the hostages, asserting that negotiations could still yield results. The strike is supported by various sectors, including the Israel Business Forum, aiming to mobilize mass protests for hostage release. Demonstrators are expected to gather in Tel Aviv as part of this pressure campaign against the government.