Israelis Protest As Pressure Mounts On Netanyahu for Hostage Deal, Saudi Tanker Attacked In Red Sea

An Israeli court has halted a "politically motivated" strike called by the Histadrut union, which sought a truce-hostage deal with Hamas in Gaza. The court’s decision followed Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's request to ban the strike. The union's chairman, Arnon Bar-David, had justified the strike on humanitarian grounds, citing the murder of hostages by Hamas. While the strike was observed in some cities, including delays at Ben Gurion airport, Israeli police detained several protesters. President Biden criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure a hostage deal.