Nationwide strike underway as Israel demands immediate hostage exchange deal with Hamas

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - SEPTEMBER 02: A general view of the airport as passengers wait for flights at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv during a nationwide strike on September 02, 2024 in Tel Aviv, Israel. A nationwide strike swept across Israel on Monday, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an immediate cease-fire and hostage exchange deal with the Palestinian group Hamas. The strike also affected the country's main transportation hub, Ben-Gurion International Airport, where flights were suspended for two hours on Monday morning. The closure, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., could have lasting impacts on travel throughout the week. Aviation officials warned that even a brief closure could disrupt flight schedules for up to 72 hours. Histadrut sources indicated that the airport might remain closed for several more hours, though no final decision has been made. (Photo by Ameer Abed Rabbo/Anadolu via Getty Images)