Have the hostage deaths pushed Israel to the breaking point?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced growing anger from hostage families and his own ministers after the deaths of six people held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
Nearly 11 months into a war that has left the country isolated and deeply divided, Israel has erupted.
A nationwide strike threatened to bring the nation's economy to a standstill Monday after six hostages held in Gaza since Oct. 7 were killed in Hamas captivity, news that fueled mass protests featuring hundreds of thousands of people in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and beyond.
The dramatic display of dissent disrupted flights, hospitals and banks in an angry escalation of a monthslong campaign to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire deal with Hamas.
Despairing hostage families, large sections of the public and some of Netanyahu's own ministers hoped the weekend's events might force him to change course. But there was little immediate sign of that Monday, with the government winning its bid to force an early end to the general strike in Israel's labor court.
Protesters had blocked roads and marched on government buildings to demand a truce deal after the bodies of Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt. Ori Danino were found almost 11 months after they were taken hostage during Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attacks.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hostage-deaths-pushed-israel-breaking-point-rcna169196
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