Millions of Israelis prepare to disrupt their daily routines on Sunday and participate in nationwide strike demanding the return of 50 hostages, who have endured 681 days under appalling conditions in Gaza captivity. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum anticipates approximately one million participants at Hostages Square and hundreds of coordinated demonstrations across the country. Major corporations, institutions, businesses and government authorities confirmed they will permit employees to participate in the protests.
Hours after the Israeli Defense Forces attacked Sana'a's main power plant, the Yemeni Houthis launched a missile at Israel, while crowds flooded Tel Aviv's Hostage's Square, unable to evacuate to protective spaces.
Israeli actress Gal Gadot arrived at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, where she met with hostage families who are protesting, demanding the return of their loved ones, who have been held in Hamas captivity in Gaza for 681 days. Among other things, Gadot spoke with Lishay Miran-Lavi, whose husband Omri Miran was kidnapped from their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz and has not yet been returned to Israel. The two spoke, and Miran thanked Gadot for coming. At the end of the conversation, they hugged for a long time.
Video: Israeli actress Gal Gadot embraces Lishay Miran-Lavi, the wife of Israeli hostage Omri Miran. Credit: Hostages and Missing Families Forum
Traffic on Highway 1 in the Ben Shemen area and on Ayalon highways – major roads in Israel – was blocked due to protests by activists calling for an end to the war and the return of all hostages. As part of demonstrations across the country, police were documented forcibly removing protesters from the roads.
Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the central focal points of the October 7 attack, set up a protest tent in Tel Aviv, where former hostage Yarden Bibas and the brother of David Cunio and Ariel Cunio, Eitan, arrived. Michal Lavi, the sister-in-law of Omri Miran, who is held hostage in Gaza, arrived at the Gaza border and called in the name of 50 hostages held in Gaza by Hamas and Islamic Jihad using a megaphone.
Officials' response
Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Israel's lead hostage negotiator, was documented avoiding protesters positioned near his home. The protesters gathered at 7:10 a.m., the symbolic time of Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.
Video: Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer avoids protesters near his home
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a government meeting, "Those who call today for an end to the war without defeating Hamas not only harden Hamas' position and delay the release of our hostages, they also ensure that the horrors of October 7 will repeat themselves and that we will have to fight an endless war." Netanyahu added, "Hamas demands that we exit completely from the entire Gaza Strip so it can reorganize and attack us again. We must complete the task and defeat Hamas."
President Isaac Herzog arrived at Hostages Square, which was filling with protesters, and addressed hostage families. "You are not alone. To the world, I say – stop behaving hypocritically. Stop surrendering to Hamas and release them. Tell Hamas, 'you want supplies – first of all, release them,'" he said.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed the massive protest: "The people of Israel woke up this morning to a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas's hands, buries the hostages in tunnels and tries to bring the State of Israel to surrender to its enemies," the minister wrote.
Main events
During a 7:10 a.m. press conference, hostage families issued urgent appeals for public participation in street demonstrations and work stoppages.
Video: Protesters block the highway to Jerusalem on August 17, 2025 / Credit: Ofri Eitan
Anat Angrest, whose son Matan remains held in Gaza, declared, "Today, an entire nation pressed the emergency brake. Today, we stop everything to save the lives of 50 hostages and soldiers. The State of Israel stops today, so that every soldier knows that an entire nation stands behind him in times of trouble."
Lishi Miran Levia, whose husband Omri is held captive in Gaza, stated, "We promise Omri, Nimrod, and Matan, to all the hostages and their families, to the bereaved families who stood by our side, to the parents of soldiers, to all the public that supports us, that this day is only the beginning. We draw strength from public support, and intend from here to escalate and intensify the struggle until all the hostages are home. We have no choice."
Video: A tribute to the hostages / Credit: Yair Palti
The coordinated action commenced at 6:45 a.m. with an enormous display at Hostages Square. A massive Israeli flag featuring photographs of the hostages was unfurled at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, marking 681 days since the catastrophic events.
Demonstration organizers report 50 hostages enduring 681 days of suffering, with 400 protest focal points established nationwide. Coordinated activities spread across Israel, including the Jordan Valley, where demonstrators prepared to raise flags on the Sea of Galilee islands.
Police issued preparatory statements at 6:01 a.m. emphasizing that "freedom of protest does not mean freedom to ignite fires." Law enforcement announced deployment of "reinforced forces at various focal points nationwide, to enable freedom of protest in all sectors." Thousands of police officers and Border Police forces will maintain positions at demonstration sites throughout Sunday, with primary objectives of protecting demonstrators and their protest rights while preserving public security and freedom of movement. "Freedom of protest and expression does not include freedom to ignite fires, block main roads or harm the freedom of movement of many," police emphasized.
Demonstrations will occur at major intersections, corporate facilities and organizational headquarters, culminating in a major gathering at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv designed to combat public indifference. "Millions of Israeli citizens will cry out loudly today, with their feet, at intersections, in the square, on social networks and everywhere demanding bring them back now," The Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced.
Hostage families extended personal invitations to prominent business executives and numerous public figures, urging their participation and support at the square. During the shutdown, families plan to announce subsequent phases in their campaign for complete hostage repatriation.
The October Council initiated these events, comprising hostage families and bereaved families from the October 7 massacre who spearhead efforts to establish a state commission of inquiry. The "Free in Our Land" struggle headquarters, which coordinates protest organizations, cautioned drivers about anticipated blockages at demonstration focal points and protest convoys potentially causing delays on major highways.
The climactic event occurs at 8:00 p.m. at Hostages Square, featuring captivity survivors, hostage families and additional participants. Throughout Sunday, companies, organizations and southern Israeli communities will conduct activities and demonstrations. Events commence at the symbolic 6:29 a.m. hour, marking the precise time of the October 7 attack on Israel.
Beginning at 9:00 a.m., offices and business owners will organize hourly protest shifts at Hostages Square. Medical personnel will march to protest the deteriorating health conditions of hostages experiencing starvation in captivity, malnutrition approaching life-threatening levels as documented in recent videos of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski.
Video: Protesters block the highway to Jerusalem on August 17, 2025
Primary demonstration centers include Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. Activities begin at 8:00 a.m. with a march from Antin Square at Tel Aviv University and demonstrations at Elephant Junction continuing until 9:30 a.m.. Concurrent demonstrations will occur at Rokach-Namir Junction until 10:30 a.m., while a 9:00 a.m. rally will commence at Tel Aviv City Hall square, followed by the White Coat March from Medical Association headquarters to Hostages Square.
At 10:40 a.m., motorized convoys will traverse Tel Aviv neighborhoods, and between 12:00-2:00 p.m. the central demonstration will unfold at Kaplan Junction. Academic community rallies begin at 5:00 p.m. at Hostages Square, with a 7:00 p.m. march departing from Savidor Station toward Hostages Square. The primary "Israel Stops" event culminates at Hostages Square at 8:00 p.m..
Haifa activities commence at 7:30 a.m. at Sefer Square continuing until 9:00 a.m., with midday mall protests at Grand Canyon shopping center. Demonstrations resume at 4:00 p.m. at Ziv Square, with protesters returning to Sefer Square between 5:00-7:00 p.m..
Jerusalem features numerous neighborhood protest locations between 7:10-10:15 a.m., including areas near the President's Residence, Mitzpeh Valley, Oranim Junction and additional sites. A 9:30 a.m. march will depart from Givat Ram. Beersheba demonstrations occur at Government Quarter between 9:00-11:00 a.m. and opposite Southern Command between 4:00-6:00 p.m..
Organizers expect approximately 200 chartered buses to arrive at Hostages Square during the day, with six motorized protest convoys departing at 7:30 a.m. from various locations, including Dor Alon positions on Highway 6 heading north and south, Latrun and Tel Aviv.
