Israeli Labour Union Strike Disrupts Services Amid Crisis Over Gaza Hostages

Municipal services in Israeli districts were disrupted by a general strike led by the country's largest labor union. The strike aimed to pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu to negotiate the return of hostages in Gaza. The unrest follows the discovery of six hostage bodies, intensifying protests and divisions within Israel.

Municipal services across several Israeli districts were significantly disrupted on Monday as the nation’s largest labor union launched a general strike. The action aimed to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into securing a deal to bring home Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Histadrut union's head called for the strike after the gruesome discovery of six hostages’ bodies in a tunnel in southern Gaza. Following health ministry reports that the hostages were killed between 48-72 hours before being found, public outrage surged, leading half a million people to protest in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attempted to annul the strike through Israel's Labour Court, but the strike nonetheless disrupted numerous sectors. Services at Ben Gurion Airport were suspended, with bus and light rail services either canceled or barely operational. Major ports, hospitals, and banks were also affected, although some private sector businesses allowed employees to join the strike, multiplying the impact.

The striking action comes in the backdrop of months-long protests over Netanyahu's strategies regarding a ceasefire deal, exposing deep national divides. Diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. have failed to yield a breakthrough, with Hamas still holding 101 hostages.

(With inputs from agencies.)