Israeli Protests Surge as Six Hostages' Bodies Recovered from Gaza Tunnel

Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a Gaza tunnel, sparking protests and labor strikes demanding Prime Minister Netanyahu secure the release of remaining hostages. Amidst the turmoil, a polio vaccination campaign began in Gaza while violence continued in the West Bank, heightening regional tensions.

Israel has recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza, where it says they were killed shortly before its troops could reach them. The discovery triggered protests by thousands of Israelis on Sunday and planned labor strikes over the government's failure to save the hostages.

In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, demonstrators demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do more to bring back the remaining hostages from Gaza. Labor leaders have urged workers to down tools on Monday. The Israeli military announced the recovery of the hostages' bodies and identified them as Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino.

Forensic examinations determined the hostages were executed by Hamas terrorists within the past 48 to 72 hours. This news comes as a polio vaccination campaign began in Gaza and violence escalated in the West Bank. Netanyahu faces increasing calls to end the near 11-month war between Israel and Hamas with a ceasefire deal that includes the release of remaining hostages.

(With inputs from agencies.)