Outrage and Protests Erupt in Israel after Six Hostages Brutally Murdered in Gaza

Six Israeli hostages were found murdered in Gaza, igniting widespread anger and protests throughout the country. Demonstrators took to the streets in major cities, demanding action from the government to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

President Biden and Vice President Harris are set to meet in the White House Situation Room on Monday to discuss efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages after the murder of six hostages, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, by Hamas on Saturday.

Outrage and Protests Erupt in Israel after Six Hostages Brutally Murdered in Gaza

Mobs of protesters took to the streets in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other cities on Sunday after the bodies of the hostages in Gaza were returned to Israel, fueling frustration and anger toward the country's leadership for failing to achieve a cease-fire deal freeing the remaining hostages.

Israeli media reported that the crowds of protesters were estimated to be up to 500,000 in major Israeli cities. Many of the protesters demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do more to bring home the remaining 101 hostages.

Outrage and Protests Erupt in Israel after Six Hostages Brutally Murdered in Gaza

Israel's leadership estimates that nearly a third of the remaining hostages are dead.

While protests remained strong on Sunday, labor leaders called on workers to be part of a one-day strike Monday.

Outrage and Protests Erupt in Israel after Six Hostages Brutally Murdered in Gaza

"We are getting body bags instead of a deal," Histadrut Labor Federation chief Arnon Bar-David said to reporters on Sunday, according to Reuters. "We must reach a deal. A deal is more important than anything else."

The Histadrut Labor Federation is Israel's main labor union that represents hundreds of thousands of workers. Bar-David's call for a one-day strike was supported by manufacturers and tech entrepreneurs in the country.

Outrage and Protests Erupt in Israel after Six Hostages Brutally Murdered in Gaza

Israel's military announced that the bodies of hostages 40-year-old Carmel Gat, 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 24-year-old Eden Yerushalmi, 32-year-old Alexander Lobanov, 27-year-old Almog Sarusi, and 25-year-old Ori Danino were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.

A forensic analysis of the bodies determined the hostages were "murdered by Hamas terrorists in a number of shots at close range" 48 to 72 hours prior.

Outrage and Protests Erupt in Israel after Six Hostages Brutally Murdered in Gaza

After learning of the news, protesters blocked streets in Jerusalem and held a demonstration outside Netanyahu's residence. In Tel Aviv, protesters blocked the main highway while holding flags with images of the murdered hostages.

During the protests, police reportedly arrested about two dozen Israelis nationwide, Reuters reported.

Outrage and Protests Erupt in Israel after Six Hostages Brutally Murdered in Gaza

After the hostages' bodies were recovered, Netanyahu said in a statement that he was "shocked to the core" by the murders.

"He who murders abductees does not want a deal. We are in a difficult day. The heart of the entire nation was torn," Netanyahu said. 

Outrage and Protests Erupt in Israel after Six Hostages Brutally Murdered in Gaza

War has been raging in the Middle East since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a series of attacks on Israel, sparking Israel to declare war soon afterward. An estimated 257 Israeli hostages were trapped in Gaza when the war first began, and 101 hostages are still in Gaza. Of the 101 remaining hostages, 66 are believed to be alive, four of whom are American citizens.