Despite the incitement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his coalition against the protesters, the number of demonstrators gradually increased on Sunday evening.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv as part of a general strike called by the families of hostages and soldiers killed in Gaza, to pressure the government to reach an exchange deal with the Hamas movement, even if it requires halting the war.
The Israeli Hostages’ Families Forum announced that more than one million people participated in the protests and demonstrations across Israel on Sunday.
Hundreds of private companies, municipalities, and organizations across the country joined the strike, while many transportation lines, particularly trains, were disrupted, causing severe traffic congestion, according to Hebrew media.
The Hamas movement has repeatedly reaffirmed its readiness to release Israeli hostages "in one go" in exchange for ending the war of extermination in Gaza, the withdrawal of the Israeli army, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.