TEL AVIV — A nationwide strike swept across Israel on Monday, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an immediate cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

The General Organization of Workers, Histadrut, initiated the strike following the recovery of six Israeli hostages' bodies from Gaza, leading to widespread public outcry and protests involving nearly 770,000 Israelis across cities like Tel Aviv.

The strike, which also saw a two-hour suspension of flights at Ben-Gurion International Airport, reflects the growing frustration with the government's handling of the hostage crisis.

The Israeli government has petitioned the Supreme Court to cancel the strike, while ongoing disruptions could affect travel throughout the week.

Israel estimates that over 100 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, as its offensive on Gaza has resulted in over 40,700 Palestinian deaths and severe humanitarian shortages. — Agencies