Advocacy groups representing the families of captives and slain soldiers are urging a general strike to be held next Sunday as a protest against the ongoing war and the government’s proposed plan to occupy Gaza City.

Anat Angrest, the mother of Matan Angrest, who remains in Hamas captivity, strongly criticized the decision to seize control of the densely populated city, arguing that such a move would put the lives of those still held captive at greater risk. “The government decided to occupy the Gaza Strip, to send soldiers to come closer to Matan. They are trying to bring him back, but in practice are endangering him,” she added.

She expressed fear that the newly approved plan to take over Gaza City, which had been passed on Thursday night, could result in her son's death.

The general strike has already received backing from leading figures in the opposition, such as Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who posted on social media that the demand from the captives' families to halt economic activity was both reasonable and commendable, while pledging ongoing solidarity with their cause.

Similarly, the Democratic leader, Yair Golan, expressed his support for the strike, urging Israeli settlers to join the protest while contending that maintaining normal daily life was unconscionable when Israeli captives remained forsaken by the Israeli government.

Thousands protest in Tel Aviv against gov. plan to expand Gaza war

Last night, thousands of settlers gathered in central Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand an end to the war in Gaza, one day after the Israeli government announced plans to intensify the onslaught and occupy Gaza City.

Protesters carried signs and displayed photographs of captives still held in the Palestinian territory, urging authorities to prioritize their release over expanding military operations.

 The demand is also reflected within the ranks of the Israeli military echelon, with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attempting to persuade the security cabinet that occupying Gaza was not the right choice and to discuss the long duration and significant military and economic repercussions such a plan would entail, Israel Hayom cited sources as saying.