Israeli court orders end to general strike

Trade unions in Israel have gone on strike to force the government to negotiate a cease-fire. Israel's labor court ruled that the strike must end within hours. 

Israel's Labor Court has ruled that a general strike that shut down much of the country's economy on Monday must end at 2:30 p.m. local time, according to court documents seen by the Reuters news agency.

Israel's main trade union Histadrut launched the strike to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into negotiating a cease-fire deal with Hamas and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.

The deaths of six more hostages triggered mass protests across the country over the weekend.

Gaza death toll up to 40,786

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip said Monday that at least 40,786 people have been killed in the enclave since the October 7 attacks and the start of the Israel-Hamas war. 

The death toll has increased by 48 since the previous day, according to the ministry, which also has also registered over 94,000 people as wounded.

Health authorities do not differentiate between civilians and militants in their counts.

Traffic, air travel disrupted across Israel due to strikes

Service has been disrupted at Israel's main international airport, Ben Gurion, due to a general workers' strike across the country. While some flights were able to land, many departing journeys had to be canceled.

Light rail and bus routes around the country were also at a standstill.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has sought to have the strike banned by Israel's Labor Court, which was due to meet mid-morning local time.

Numerous industries across Israel have been affected, including manufacturing and the tech sector. The strike has largely been supported by employer groups amid growing dissatisfaction with the Netanyahu government over the fate of the hostages in Gaza.

Source: DW