Captives' families call for 'day of struggle' as Netanyahu resumes war

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English + Israeli media
22 Aug 2025 20:28
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Families of Israeli captives block major roads and announce a 'National Day of Struggle' over Netanyahu's handling of the captive file and continued war on Gaza.

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Demonstrators block a highway and burn an installation of a Shabbat dinner table demanding the immediate release of captives, calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to invade Gaza City, in Tel Aviv, Aug. 22, 2025 (AP)

The Israeli captives' families gathered on Sunday outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in occupied al-Quds in what they have now coined a "National Day of Struggle", set for Tuesday, August 26.

The protest comes amid weekly demonstrations that reject Netanyahu's conduct, his neglect of the captives' file, and refusal to end the war on Gaza.

According to organizers, Tuesday will include various solidarity events, including a march to the Captives’ Square in Tel Aviv and a sit-in demanding the immediate return of all captives to "Israel".

“On Tuesday, Israel stands united. Leave your homes and stand in solidarity with the captives. The hour of action is now for every Israeli,” a statement by the organizers read.

As part of the growing Israeli public pressure, protesters disrupted vital transport routes. Demonstrators blocked Highway 6, a key artery connecting the north and south of occupied Palestine, and also shut down the main Ayalon highway, which links Tel Aviv to its surrounding areas.

Escalation amid Gaza City occupation scheme

These developments come at a time when the Israeli army is reportedly preparing for a new military operation, dubbed “Gideon Chariots B,” aimed at occupying Gaza City. Internal voices within the Israeli entity, particularly the military echelon, have warned that such escalation could endanger the lives of captives still held in the Strip.

Netanyahu announced Thursday that he had trespassed into Gaza to approve military plans aimed at occupying Gaza City and "defeating" the Palestinian resistance movement.

“We are at the decision-making stage. Today, I arrived in the Gaza Strip to approve the plans presented to me and the defense minister by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to capture the city of Gaza and defeat Hamas,” Netanyahu stated.

Netanyahu also said he had ordered the immediate start of negotiations for the release of all captives, while insisting that the war would only end under conditions acceptable to "Israel".