Israel again saw massive disruptions Tuesday as hostage families and supporters staged a second nationwide day of disruption in just over a week, demanding the government strike a deal to free those still held by Hamas. The protests, organized 690 days into the captives' ordeal, shut down highways and key junctions before building toward a mass march and rally in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square.
Video: Protesters during the Day of Disruption on August 26, 2025
Roads were blocked across the country, including the Ayalon highways, Raanana Junction, Yakum bridge, Highway 4 near Mesubim, Highway 1, and Shilat Junction near Modiin. Police intercepted a stockpile of tires prepared for arson to block traffic arteries in central Israel.
Families took the lead. Yotam Cohen, brother of Nimrod Cohen, said, "A week after Hamas signaled readiness for a deal, there is still no agreement. Everyone saw my brother Nimrod in Hamas' custody, but he is not home." His father, Yehuda Cohen, added, "Israel stands against Netanyahu and his government."
Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan Zangauker, accused Netanyahu of stalling: "Our people fight for brothers and sisters in captivity. Netanyahu fears public pressure." Hagit Chen, mother of Itay Chen, urged, "Sit at the table until the last hostage returns." Itzik Horn, father of Eitan Horn, condemned the government for risking hostages' lives in a military operation, warning, "This is not the country we built."
Demonstrators also protested outside the homes of Minister Gila Gamliel and Likud lawmaker Boaz Bismuth, who is a senior Likud MK.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a response to recent statements made by the US president Donald Trump, saying, "President Trump, you declared that within the next 2-3 weeks the war will come to an end. We pray this is true and that you are setting a deadline for ending our suffering. You made a direct commitment to the captivity survivors you met that you would bring all the hostages home – the time has come to fulfill this," the statement read.
"We want to remind you that there are 50 hostages in Gaza. Each one is a brother or sister, parent, child – an entire world. Since October 7, 42 hostages who were taken alive have been murdered in captivity. Every day the fighting continues puts our loved ones in greater danger of never returning home. Every additional delay in signing the deal endangers all 50 who remain there. We understand that the information you received from our government may be misleading, but please, we need your help, close the deal, and bring them all home before it's too late."
Eli Shtivi, father of Idan, who was murdered and whose body is being held in Gaza, told Kol Chai Radio: "Road blockades and shutting down the state are not what will bring the hostages home, it only bothers the ordinary citizen. I hear Hamas' calls from Gaza to topple the [Israeli] government and reach a deal that would also lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, and unfortunately, many are echoing this call. We must not surrender to this. I do not agree that a Palestinian state should be established on the blood of my child."
