Families of Israelis held by Hamas intensified their campaign this week, sailing a convoy of small boats from Ashkelon toward the Gaza coast on 7 August in an effort dubbed “Shayetet 50.” The unprecedented flotilla was meant to draw attention to the roughly 20 hostages still thought to be alive and to press Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to secure their release. Escalating the pressure, the Committee of Families of Israeli Captives announced on 10 August that more than 1,500 bereaved and hostage families will lead a nationwide strike on Sunday, 17 August. The organisers say they intend to shut down major workplaces and public services for a day to force the government to negotiate a prisoner-exchange deal and halt its eight-month-old war in Gaza. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the planned work stoppage “justified and appropriate” and pledged to stand with the families. Local media reported that the Israeli High-Tech Industry Association is discussing whether to join the walkout, signalling that the protest could spread to one of the country’s most vital economic sectors. The mobilisation comes days after Israel’s security cabinet signalled support for a full ground takeover of Gaza City. The families argue that such an operation would endanger the remaining captives and prolong the conflict, and they have warned that routine economic life should not continue while their relatives remain in Hamas custody.