On Sunday, relatives and friends of hostages taken by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, on October 7, 2023, called a nationwide strike. Around 25 hostages are believed be alive in Gaza. The protests took place across Israel, some outside of politician's homes, military bases, and highways.

Israeli protesters demanding a deal to free hostages in Gaza attempted to shut down the country Sunday in one of the largest and fiercest protests in 22 months of war. Organizers, representing the families of hostages,

The protesters, who took over Microsoft’s East Campus Plaza, created what they called a “Liberated Zone” and renamed it as The Martyred Palestinian Children’s Plaza

ABC News' Marcus Moore reports on the protests in Tel Aviv and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. U.S. Issues New Travel Warning as Disease Spreads

Current and former Microsoft employees and other protesters briefly claimed a "Liberated Zone" in Microsoft's East Campus Plaza, before being dispersed by police.

The protests, which have been ongoing in recent weeks, demand government action to assist soldiers in coping with trauma resulting from their military service. The demonstrations by combat veterans in Jerusalem,

Demonstrators gather during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The group has instead called for smaller protest activity nationwide instead of one mass rally in Tel Aviv. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum has postponed a large protest originally scheduled for next Sunday in order not to disrupt ongoing ceasefire and hostage exchange negotiations,