Israeli workers strike, protest amid intensified Gaza conflict

Israeli workers have staged a major strike and mass protests across the country, demanding a ceasefire deal amid mounting casualties. The unrest comes as Israeli forces continue their bombardment of Gaza, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, including 11 who were sheltering in a school in northern Gaza City and four others traveling in a car near central Deir el-Balah.

In response to the devastating situation, hundreds of thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv and other cities, calling for an immediate truce. The protests intensified after the recovery of six more captives’ bodies from Gaza, fueling public outrage and prompting a nationwide general strike.

The conflict’s toll has been severe, with Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank raising the death count to 29 as the siege on the Jenin refugee camp continues into its sixth day. Palestinians in Jenin face dire shortages of food, water, power, and internet access.

Overall, the war has claimed at least 40,738 lives and wounded 94,154 in Gaza. In Israel, the death toll from Hamas-led attacks on October 7 stands at approximately 1,139. The scale of the crisis underscores the urgent need for a resolution as both sides suffer profound losses.