Palestinians Stage General Strike to Amplify Global Pressure on Israel and End Gaza Conflict

 Palestinians staged a general strike on December 11, shutting shops, schools, and government offices across the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem. The strike was held in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless attack by Israel. So far, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 18,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and 104 Israeli soldiers. Activists called for the strike to put pressure on Israel to stop the war, and similar strikes also took place in Jordan and Lebanon. In Lebanon, public institutions, banks, schools, and universities closed as a nationwide strike was observed in solidarity with Gaza.

The strike was also observed in Istanbul's western Esenyurt district, where many businesses are owned by residents from the Palestinian territories, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. The strike is not only in solidarity with Gaza but is also against the USA, which used its veto in the Security Council against a truce. Overnight in Gaza, Israeli air strikes targeted the biggest southern city of Khan Yunis, and fighting and bombing were also reported in the center and north of the territory.

Hamas, which triggered the war with its October 7 attacks, warned that the remaining hostages held in Gaza would not survive unless Israel met its demands and freed more Palestinian prisoners. The strike was seen as a global effort to end the war and put pressure on Israel. It is estimated that over 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the conflict. The strike also drew attention to the US's rejection of a ceasefire resolution in the Security Council. Despite some businesses remaining open out of necessity, many Palestinians participated in the strike to voice their opposition to the war and demand its end.