Protesters blocked the southern Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv and other intersections on Tuesday morning, as hostage families urged Israelis to take to the streets and demand the government stop the war in Gaza and take steps to reach a deal to free the remaining 50 hostages.
One person was arrested in Tel Aviv, and a smoke grenade was found in her possession.
Israel Police said that all roads across Israel are open to traffic, after reports said that protesters were seen blocking Highway 443, as well as Highway 1, which was also closed to traffic due to protests.
Video footage of protests sees demonstrators holding up signs saying "We'll stop when everyone returns," as well as bonfires lit in the street.
Police report, 'No roads blocked'
An Israeli Police statement said that "no roads were currently blocked," and explained how those "closed were reopened quickly by officers deployed across all major routes."
"Most demonstrations so far have proceeded without unusual incidents. Officers allow brief, localized road closures to enable lawful protest and expression, and in locations where public order was disrupted, appropriate action was taken," the statement read.
The police also emphasized that " lighting fires in public areas or on roads is not a form of protest, but a dangerous and criminal act that could endanger human life."
"The public is urged to follow police instructions. The Israel Police will not tolerate disruptions of public order and will act firmly against anyone violating the law or endangering the public," the statement ended.
Hostage families urge immediate deal
Around the same time, at Hostages' Square, Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for "dragging his feet" rather than reaching a deal.
"Netanyahu, why are you dragging your feet? If it is important for him to end the war, he should set applicable principles for ending it. But instead, he continues on a campaign to thwart deals. This government is waging a war without a clear goal."
Hagit Chen, the mother of American-Israeli hostage Itay Chen, was quoted by KAN, saying, "What we are seeing now is a trap door in the making. The people are with us, the power is in our hands. We cannot be ignored. The people can bring the hostages back home."
Dozens also demonstrated in front of Education Minister Yoav Kisch's home in Hod Hasharon and in front of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's home in Ness Ziona, according to Ynet.
At a demonstration at Ibn Gabirol Street in Tel Aviv, Democratic MK Gilad Kariv said, "Without a protest for the hostages, there would have been no prior deals. We will not give up, we will shake the country, we will end the war, and we will bring everyone home."
Tuesday marks the second week in a row that hostage families have called for a national strike throughout Israel. On Sunday of last week, nearly half a million Israelis gathered at Hostages Square and surrounding streets in Tel Aviv, also demanding an end to the war and a deal to bring back the hostages.