Israel came to a near-standstill on Sunday when tens of thousands of people blocked highways, shuttered businesses and rallied outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence in the largest anti-war demonstrations in months. Organisers representing the families of roughly 50 hostages still held in Gaza declared a one-day national strike, demanding that the government secure the captives’ release and agree to a ceasefire. Police used water cannons and reported between 25 and 38 arrests for disrupting public order. The domestic pressure coincides with renewed diplomacy. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar have tabled a framework that would pause military operations for 60 days, allow a surge of humanitarian aid and see Hamas free about half of the surviving hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas confirmed in Cairo on 18 August that it had accepted the text without changes. Qatar’s foreign-ministry spokesman said the document is “almost identical” to an earlier draft Israel had signalled it could accept. Israel has yet to give a formal response. Netanyahu’s office said the cabinet’s position “remains unchanged” and that any agreement must secure the simultaneous release of all hostages. Far-right coalition partners Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have urged the prime minister to push on with plans to seize Gaza City rather than accept what they call a partial deal. Egyptian officials said the “ball is now in Israel’s court”, while Qatar warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe if the ceasefire initiative falters. The Gaza Health Ministry puts the Palestinian death toll from nearly two years of fighting at more than 62,000, and aid agencies say already dire conditions will worsen if Israel proceeds with its announced offensive on the enclave’s largest urban centre. Mediators hope mounting public discontent inside Israel, coupled with Hamas’s acceptance of the 60-day truce, will prod Jerusalem to return to negotiations in the coming days.