After thousands of Israeli workers walked off the job on Monday, angry over the deaths of hostages in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a news conference that the war would only end when Israel had eliminated Hamas.The New York Times reports that on Sept. 2, 2024 at 2:32 p.m. ET, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his plans for continued Israeli presence in Gaza, stating it was necessary for the country’s security. Despite pleas from allies and protests from Israeli citizens, Netanyahu refused to agree to a truce that would involve Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza or a permanent end to the fighting.

During his first news conference since the recovery of six slain hostages, Netanyahu reiterated his stance and questioned the message it would send to Hamas if Israel were to concede under pressure. He also stated that the war would only end when Hamas no longer ruled Gaza.

In response to the recovery of the hostages, thousands of primary schools, municipalities, and transportation networks in Israel slowed or suspended operations on Monday. This was part of a larger expression of anti-government dissent, which has been growing since the start of the war in Gaza.

Union leaders and business leaders joined forces to pressure Netanyahu to agree to a truce with Hamas, which could potentially lead to the release of dozens of hostages still in captivity. President Biden also added to the pressure, stating that Netanyahu was not doing enough to bring the hostages home. In addition, Britain announced that it would suspend some weapons exports to Israel, citing a legal review that found a “clear risk” of the weapons being used in a way that would violate international standards.

Despite the national fury and protests, the work stoppage was halted at 2:30 p.m. local time after a court ruled that there was not enough notice given for the strike to proceed. While there were disruptions in various sectors, some municipalities and transport services continued to operate normally.

The work stoppage and protests reflect the widespread grief, anger, and demand for action in response to the deaths of the six hostages. Many argue that a cease-fire agreement could have prevented their deaths. The protests also call for a release of the remaining hostages and an end to the war in Gaza. 

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