Thousands of Israelis took to the streets and participated in a nationwide strike, urging the government to negotiate an immediate truce with Hamas to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. Families of the captives, joined by supporters, blocked major roads and held up signs with the hostages' images, while police detained dozens for disrupting public order. The protests highlight deep divisions within Israeli society, as hostage families and their allies demand urgent action, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that military pressure must continue against Hamas. The ongoing conflict has drawn international condemnation due to the high civilian toll in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis, with critics warning that further military action could endanger the remaining hostages and prolong the suffering.