Tens of thousands of Israelis staged a one-day general strike and road-blocking demonstrations on Sunday, demanding a cease-fire in Gaza and a comprehensive deal to bring home the remaining hostages. Haaretz reported at least 22 arrests as protesters converged on central highways and the so-called Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv. The Forum of Hostages’ Families says 49 captives remain in the enclave, 27 of them believed dead after 22 months of fighting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the opening of a cabinet meeting to denounce the mobilisation, arguing that calls to halt the war without first defeating Hamas 'strengthen Hamas, delay the release of our hostages and guarantee that the horrors of 7 October will return'. He reiterated Israel’s red lines for ending the conflict—permanent Israeli security control over Gaza and the full disarmament of Hamas—and said the Israel Defense Forces would press ahead with a new phase of operations aimed at the group’s remaining strongholds. Humanitarian officials continued to sound the alarm over conditions in the strip. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said attempts to replace its aid network with the politically backed 'Gaza Foundation' had contributed to famine-like shortages, and urged a UN-coordinated distribution system in line with international law. The agency called for an immediate cease-fire, saying Gaza’s population was living in 'inhumane' circumstances. Protests echoed far beyond Israel. More than 10,000 people rallied in New York, and large marches were held in Amsterdam, Barcelona and several Nordic and German cities, demanding an end to the Israeli offensive and highlighting the toll on civilians and journalists. Catalan organisers said the death of reporter Anas Al-Sharif on 10 August raised the number of journalists killed in Gaza to at least 238 since October 2023.