Many Israelis feel that freeing the hostages cannot happen if the government refuses to come to terms with Hamas and pursues its policy of trying to eliminate the group militarily.

Israelis took to the streets on Sunday to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to conquer the rest of the Gaza Strip rather than attempt to negotiate an end to the war under which Hamas would free its last hostages.

Protesters in Israel demanding the government make a deal to secure the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza escalated their campaign on Sunday, staging a nationwide strike that blocked traffic and closed businesses.