More than 300 demonstrations are expected throughout the day as hostages families try to bring the nation to a standstill. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the nationwide strikes in support of the hostages in Hamas captivity on Sunday were delaying their release and preventing the war from coming to an end.

Groups representing families of hostages organized the demonstrations as frustration grows in Israel over plans for a new military offensive in some of Gaza's most populated areas.

The “day of stoppage” was organized weeks after militant groups released videos of hostages and Israel announced plans for a new offensive.