Protests are growing in Israel following the death of hostages and pressure on Netanyahu.

The situation in Gaza and the pressure exerted on the Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, reached a new level of tension last Monday, following the death of six hostages in the hands of Hamas. This tragic event has triggered an increase in protests and strikes in Israel, highlighting the growing public discontent with the Prime Minister's handling of the hostage crisis and revealing internal divisions on how to address the conflict. In an unusual public statement, Netanyahu apologized to the families of the deceased hostages, acknowledging that "we were close, but we did not succeed." This lament has resonated in a country where anguish over the fate of the captives has intensified since Hamas executed the hostages. However, the Prime Minister’s words have been met with skepticism by many who believe his government has been unable to act with the necessary speed and effectiveness. The situation has further complicated with Hamas's warning that the hostages still in Gaza could return "in coffins" if Israeli military pressure continues. This threat has amplified the sense of urgency surrounding the possibility of an agreement that includes the release of prisoners, both Israeli and Palestinian. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida has made it clear that the lives of the hostages hang by a thread, adding an immediate risk component to the ongoing negotiations. With the war that erupted on October 7 following a surprise attack by Hamas that left 1,205 dead in Israel, tensions between both sides have escalated alarmingly. Israel's military response has been fierce, resulting in the deaths of over 40,000 people in Gaza in less than a year. This wartime context has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and has generated a cycle of violence that seems unending. International pressure is also mounting. The United States, which has historically supported Israel, has made a strong statement demanding that Netanyahu do more to achieve a hostage release agreement. President Joe Biden did not hesitate to point out that the Israeli Prime Minister was not doing enough, revealing a shift in the U.S. stance that could affect the bilateral relationship. To make matters worse, the British government has decided to suspend 30 of the 350 arms export licenses to Israel, citing "a clear risk" that these could be used in violations of humanitarian law. This decision has provoked outrage from the Israeli government, which sees it as a lack of support at a critical moment. The general strike called by the Histadrut labor federation has been an attempt by civil society to raise its voice against the government's inaction. However, the response has been uneven across different regions of the country. While cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa showed strong support for the strike, others like Jerusalem and Ashkelon remained on the sidelines, highlighting a lack of unity in public opinion regarding the crisis. From the citizens' perspective, anguish and pain are palpable. A protester in Tel Aviv, Michal Hadas-Nahor, expressed that the strike aims to ensure that "our voice is heard." The desperation over the situation of the hostages has led many to demand concrete actions, demonstrating that, after months of war, the desire for change is becoming increasingly imperative. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains critical. The recent polio vaccination campaign, facilitated by humanitarian pauses, reflects a small light amid the darkness of the conflict. However, this contrasts with the ongoing Israeli military operation in the West Bank, which has added more victims to the list of a conflict that has already claimed too many lives. The future of the conflict and the possibility of a hostage release agreement seem increasingly uncertain. Pressure on Netanyahu is rising, both internally and externally, and the decisions he makes in the coming days could define not only the future of the hostages but also the course of Israel in an increasingly complex and challenging international landscape.