There are nationwide protests and a general strike in Israel against the war on Gaza and calling for a deal to release the captives in the enclave, Al Jazeera reports.

Israeli media reports that throngs of protesters blocked several highways in the country, causing widespread traffic jams. Thousands of police officers have been deployed.

Opposition parties have encouraged Israelis to take part, with opposition leader Yair Lapid urging Israelis to stand with the captives’ families because it was “reason enough” that the families asked, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The Times of Israel says close to one million people are expected to visit Hostages Square in Tel Aviv throughout the day.

It also reports that relatives of Israeli captives are planning to set up an encampment on the Gaza fence on Monday.

The encampment will be named “Waypoint 50”, a reference to the 50 captives held in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are said to be alive, the newspaper said.