Israeli students have launched a nationwide strike to demand the release of hostages held in Gaza and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. The walkout, which coincides with the start of the new school year, has seen hundreds of pupils block major intersections and school entrances, calling for a negotiated agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Around 2.5 million students were expected to return to school on Monday, but many refused to attend classes in protest against the fighting in the Gaza Strip, which has now lasted almost two years. Students carried signs reading “No education without the hostages,” emphasizing their solidarity with the captives. The hostages—about 48 people taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks that killed 1,250 and abducted 250 individuals to Gaza—remain a focal point of the demonstrations.
The strike has affected several schools in central Israel, and roughly 100 student representatives gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to rally for the hostages’ release. One student, Hanoch Cohen, said the strike was a demonstration of solidarity with the hostages, who are fellow Israelis. The square has been the site of numerous rallies and protests since the October 2023 attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism for his handling of the situation, with relatives of the hostages accusing the government of sabotaging a potential peace deal. A proposed agreement, reportedly accepted by Hamas, would see the release of 10 hostages during a 60‑day ceasefire, but Netanyahu is said to prefer an arrangement that secures the release of all hostages simultaneously. With around 20 of the 48 hostages believed still alive, the issue remains a pressing concern for the government and the families of the captives.
The student strike underscores the human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. As events unfold, the international community will be watching closely to see how the Israeli government responds to its citizens’ demands and the plight of the hostages held in Gaza.
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